Electronic device and mode switching method

ABSTRACT

An electronic device and a mode switching method thereof are described. The electronic device includes a first body having a first end and a second end; a connecting body having a third end and a fourth end, with the third end being connected to the second end. The device also includes second body having a fifth end and a sixth end, with the fifth end being connected to the fourth end. The second body is at least capable of rotating relative to the first body based on the connecting body. The electronic device has at least a first mode, in which a first surface of the first body is covered by the connecting body and the second body, and a second mode, in which a surface composed by the first surface of the first body and a first surface of the connecting body is covered by the second body.

This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No.201510379427.1 filed on Jun. 30, 2015, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic devices, andmore particularly, to an electronic device and a mode switching methodthereof.

BACKGROUND

Currently, clamshell electronic devices such as notebook computer, flipmobile phone usually have only one folded state (e.g., a folded stateand an unfolded state). Thus, in the folded state, a main display screenof the electronic devices is covered, whereas in the unfolded state, themain display screen thereof is not covered. This simple switchingbetween the folded state and the unfolded state usually can onlyimplement a switching between an operating state and a standby state.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan electronic device, comprising: a first body having a first end and asecond end; a connecting body having a third end and a fourth end, thethird end being connected to the second end; a second body having afifth end and a sixth end, the fifth end being connected to the fourthend, the second body being at least capable of rotating relative to thefirst body based on the connecting body; wherein the electronic devicehas at least a first mode, in which a first surface of the first body iscovered by the connecting body and the second body, and a second mode,in which a surface composed by the first surface of the first body and afirst surface of the connecting body is covered by the second body.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a mode switching method applied to an electronic device, themode switching method comprising: detecting a mode of the electronicdevice; and controlling a mode switching of the electronic deviceaccording to a detected mode; wherein the electronic device comprises: afirst body having a first end and a second end; a connecting body havinga third end and a fourth end, the third end being connected to thesecond end; a second body having a fifth end and a sixth end, the fifthend being connected to the fourth end, the second body being at leastcapable of rotating relative to the first body based on the connectingbody; the electronic device has at least a first mode, in which a firstsurface of the first body is covered by the connecting body and thesecond body, and a second mode, in which a surface composed by the firstsurface of the first body and a first surface of the connecting body iscovered by the second body.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general descriptions andthe following detailed descriptions are exemplary and intended toprovide further explanations of the claimed technique

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Through the more detailed description of embodiments of the presentdisclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above andother objectives, features, and advantages of the present disclosurewill become more apparent. The drawings are to provide furtherunderstanding for the embodiments of the present disclosure andconstitute a portion of the specification, and are intended to interpretthe present disclosure together with the embodiments rather than tolimit the present disclosure. In the drawings, the same reference signgenerally refers to the same component or step.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams illustrating a switching processbetween a first mode and a second mode of the electronic deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the connecting bodyaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating a switching processbetween the first mode and the second mode of the electronic deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the connecting bodyaccording to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating a third mode of theelectronic device according to the first and second embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams illustrating a switching processbetween the first mode and the third mode according to the first andsecond embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams further illustrating theelectronic device provided with a display.

FIG. 9 is a side view schematically illustrating the first mode of theelectronic device according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating the first mode of theelectronic device according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side view schematically illustrating the second mode of theelectronic device according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically illustrating the second mode of theelectronic device according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams further illustrating theelectronic device provided with a sensor.

FIG. 14A illustrates an example of display content when an exposedregion (the non-covered part) of the display is large, FIG. 14Billustrates an example of display content when an exposed region (thenon-covered part) of the display is small, and FIG. 14C illustratesanother example of display content when an exposed region (thenon-covered part) of the display is small.

FIG. 15 is a first flowchart illustrating a mode switching methodaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a second flowchart illustrating a mode switching methodaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram schematically illustrating structure of theelectronic device according to a third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are schematic diagrams illustrating displaying of theelectronic device according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure in different modes.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating main steps of an informationprocessing method according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram schematically illustrating structure of theelectronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are schematic diagrams illustrating displaying of theelectronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure in different modes.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating main steps of an informationprocessing method according to the fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the first mode of electronic deviceaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the second mode of electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the third mode of electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a fourth mode of electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of sub-input units of respective bodies ofthe electronic device according to the fifth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a second input unit of the electronicdevice according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of sub-displays of respective bodies ofthe electronic device according to the fifth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a first display of the electronicdevice according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a control method of the electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a connecting sub-input unit of theelectronic device according to the fifth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of thepresent disclosure more clear, exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments merely areonly part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than allof the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understoodthat the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in theart without paying inventive efforts should all fall into the protectionscope of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment the present disclosure. The electronic device1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be such anelectronic device like tablet computer, smart phone, personal digitalassistant, smart wearable device. In the following, for convenience ofdescription, the smart phone will be described as an example of theelectronic device.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the electronic device 1 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure comprises a first body 10, a second body 20,and a connecting body 30. In other words, the body other than the firstbody 10 and the second body 20 in the electronic device 1 is theconnecting body 30. The first body 10 has a first end 11 and a secondend 12; the connecting body 30 has a third end 31 and a fourth end 32,the third end 31 is connected to the second end 12; the second body 20has a fifth end 21 and a sixth end 22, the fifth end 21 is connected tothe fourth end 32, the second body 20 is at least capable of rotatingrelative to the first body 10 based on the connecting body 30.

Specifically, FIG. 1B shows a schematic structural block diagram of theelectronic device 1 according to an example of the present disclosure.As shown in FIG. 1B, the second end 12 of the first body 10 may beconnected to the third end 31 of the connecting body 30 through a firstconnecting member 140, the first connecting member 140 can enable thefirst body 10 and the second body 20 to rotate relative to each other,thereby a first surface of the first body 10 and a first surface of thesecond body 20 may be close to or away from each other relatively. Andthe connecting body 30 and the second body 20 may be connected through asecond connecting member 150, the relative rotation of the connectingbody 30 and the second body 20 can make the first surface of theconnecting body 30 and the first surface of the second body 20 be closeto or away from each other relatively. In this example, when theelectronic device has a display screen, the first surface of the firstbody 10, the first surface of the connecting body 30, and the firstsurface of the second body 20 may be a surface on which the electronicdevice 1 has the display screen.

Configuration of the connecting body 30 will be described below indetail, the connecting body 30 may be composed by a plurality of rotarymembers and a non-rotary member therein between, wherein rotary membersthat implement a connection between the connecting body 30 and the firstbody 10 and a connection between the connecting body 30 and the secondbody 20 will be uniformly considered to a compose member of theconnecting body 30. In other words, the body other than the first body10 and the second body 20 in the electronic device 1 is all consideredas the connecting body 30. In addition, it should be noted that the term“end” used herein refers to a part in a certain range of respective endsurfaces of the first body 10, the second body 20, and the connectingbody 30.

Configuration of the connecting body 30 of the electronic device 1 and amode switching process of the electronic device 1 in a case where thesecond body 20 at least rotates relative to the first body 10 based onthe connecting body 30 will be further described below in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams illustrating a switching processbetween a first mode and a second mode of the electronic deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically,FIG. 2A illustrates the first mode of the electronic device according tothe first embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2C illustrates thesecond mode of the electronic device according to the first embodimentof the present disclosure, and FIG. 2B illustrates an arbitrary modeduring a switching process between the first mode and the second modeaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in the first mode, a first surface 100 of the firstbody 10 is covered by the connecting body 30 and the second body 20. Asshown in FIG. 2C, in the second mode, a surface composed by the firstsurface 100 of the first body 10 and a first surface 300 of theconnecting body 30 is covered by the second body 20. As will beappreciated that, coverage in the first mode and the second modecomprises a total coverage and a partial coverage. Specifically, whenthe second body 20 is short enough, in the second mode shown in FIG. 2C,a surface composed by the first surface 100 of the first body 10 and afirst surface 300 of the connecting body 30 being covered by the secondbody 20 may be that the second body 20 covers only the first surface 300of the connecting body 30.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in an arbitrary mode in a switching process betweenthe first mode and the second mode, because there is damping betweenrespective members that compose the connecting body 30, so the arbitrarymode is a mode that can maintain stable without an external force. Basedon the same reasons, in this case, the first mode and the second modealso are modes that can maintain stable without an external force. Thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto, the first mode, the secondmode, and the arbitrary mode during a switching process between thefirst mode and the second mode may probably be modes that require anexternal force to maintain stable. Configuration of the connecting body30 will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, in the first mode and thesecond mode, a maximum distance between corresponding points of thefirst body 10 and the second body 20 is less than a first predeterminedthreshold L. As will be appreciated, the corresponding points of thefirst body 10 and the second body 20 are a pair of interbody points of astraight line that vertically passes through a plane where the firstbody 10 and the second body 20 reside on the aforesaid plane. In theelectronic device according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the first body 10 and the secondbody 20 are capable of being in an approximate fitting in the firstmode, the second mode, and an arbitrary state between the two. That is,the first threshold L may be 5 mm or less.

In one case, in a process that the electronic device switches from thefirst mode to the second mode through the arbitrary mode, a distancebetween the sixth end 22 of the second body 20 and the first surface 100of the first body 10 is maintained as smaller than the firstpredetermined threshold. The distance between the sixth end 22 of thesecond body 20 and the first surface 100 is a distance between any pointon the sixth end 22 and a corresponding point on the first body 10.

In another case, when switching between the first mode and the secondmode, a distance between the first surface 100 of the first body 10 anda first surface 200 of the second body 20 is also smaller than the firstpredetermined threshold. That is to say, in this case, the first body 10and the second body 20, on the whole, slide relatively in parallel toexecute mode switching. In the following, configuration of theconnecting body 30 will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawing to illustrate correspondence between a different mode switchingprocess and configuration of the connecting body 30.

In addition, in the mode switching process shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, anexternal force needs to be acted on the electronic device. Specifically,in the first mode shown in FIG. 2A, when an external force F that has acomponent in a direction from the sixth end 22 to the fifth end 21 isacted on the second body 20, and a magnitude of the component of theexternal force satisfies a first preset condition, the electronic deviceswitches from the first mode to the second mode. Likewise, in the secondmode shown in FIG. 2C, when an external force F that has a component ina direction from the fifth end 21 to the sixth end 22 is acted on thesecond body 20, and a magnitude of the component of the external forcesatisfies a first preset condition, the electronic device switches fromthe second mode to the first mode. As will be appreciated, the externalforce acted on the second body 20 of the electronic device istransmitted to the connecting body 30 to overcome the damping betweenrespective members of the connecting body 30. Configuration of theconnecting body 30 will be described below with reference to theaccompanying drawing, to illustrate correspondence between the forcethat causes a mode switching to the electronic device and theconfiguration of the connecting body 30.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the connecting bodyaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 3, the connecting body 30 according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure may comprise at least three rotary members 301-30 n(n is an integer larger than or equal to 3), each of the at least threerotary members 301-30 n has a self-rotary shaft 311-31 n , respectiveself-rotary shafts 311-31 n of the at least three rotary members 301-30n are parallel to each other. For example, when an external force actedon one rotary member 301 is vertical to the self-rotary shaft 311thereof and a magnitude of a component in a direction tangential to anouter surface of the one rotary member 301 satisfies a second presetcondition, the one rotary member 301 can rotate around the self-rotaryshaft 311 thereof. Here, the second preset condition is associated withmanufacturing material, manufacturing process and other factors of theat least three rotary members 301-30 n. In addition, when there is noexternal force that satisfies the second preset condition on each of theat least three rotary members 301-30 n , the at least three rotarymembers may 301-30 n probably maintain a mutual stability due to thedamping, so as to ensure a relative stable state between the first body10, the second body 20, and the connecting body 30 of the electronicdevice 1.

As shown above with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C, the external forceacted on the second body 20 is for making at least one rotary member inthe connecting body 30 satisfy the aforesaid second preset condition andthereby rotate around the self-rotary shaft thereof. Since in a processof transmitting the external force acted on the second body 20 to atleast one rotary member in the connecting body 30, there may be adirection difference (that is, the direction from the sixth end 22 tothe fifth end 21 may probably be different than the direction verticalto the self-rotary shaft thereof and tangential to an outer surface ofthe one rotary member) or other loss, the first preset condition may belarger than the second preset condition.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, theconnecting body 30 according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be composed only by the at least three rotary members301-30 n. In addition, in an example of the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure, when one rotary member (e.g., rotary member 301)rotates, the other rotary members (rotary members 302-30 n) rotateaccordingly. For example, the at least three rotary members 301-30 n aregear members that engage with each other, when one gear member rotates,it will drive all other gear members that engage to rotate in linkagewith the same line speed (with the same angular velocity in the case ofthe same radius). Alternatively, when all the rotary members rotate inlinkage, rotation speeds of the respective rotary members (line speedand/or angular velocity) may probably be different due to differentengagement manners and different friction and consumption of therespective rotary members. In addition, in another example of the firstembodiment of the present disclosure, when one rotary member (e.g.,rotary member 301) rotates, at least one of the other rotary membersdoes not rotate, that is, not all the rotary members are in linkage,instead, there is at least one rotary member that is not in linkage.

In a case where all the rotary members of the connecting body 30 are inlinkage, because rotation of one rotary member causes all the otherrotary members to rotate at the same or different rotation speed, so inthe mode switching process shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the first body 10and the second body 20, on a whole, cannot maintain sliding in parallel,instead, since rotation of all the rotary members in the connecting body30 has fluctuation. In contrast, in a case where there is at least onerotary member that is not in linkage in the connecting body 30,probably, only rotary members in a folded region of the connecting body30 rotate, rotary members in the other regions of the connecting body 30do not rotate in linkage, thus implementing the mode switching processshown in FIGS. 2A to 2C.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating a switching processbetween the first mode and the second mode of the electronic deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates the first mode of the electronicdevice according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 4C illustrates the second mode of the electronic device accordingto the second embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4Billustrates an arbitrary mode during a switching process between thefirst mode and the second mode according to the second embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Similar to the electronic device according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, as shown in FIG. 4A, inthe first mode, a first surface 100 of the first body 10 is covered bythe connecting body 30 and the second body 20. As shown in FIG. 4C, inthe second mode, a surface composed by the first surface 100 of thefirst body 10 and a first surface 300 of the connecting body 30 iscovered by the second body 20.

Likewise, similar to the electronic device according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, thearbitrary mode in a switching process between the first mode and thesecond mode may be is a mode that can maintain stable without anexternal force, or a mode that requires an external force to maintainstable.

It should be noted that, the electronic device according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C differsfrom the electronic device according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C in: since configuration ofthe connecting body 30 is different than that of the connecting body ofthe electronic device according to the first embodiment described withreference to FIG. 3, so in the process of switching from the first modeshown in FIG. 4A to the second mode shown in FIG. 4C, the first body 10and the second body 20, on the whole, do not slide in parallel in anapproximate fitting, instead, only the sixth end 22 of the second body20 slides in an approximate fitting with the first body 10. That is tosay, always there is a first angle α between the first surface 100 ofthe first body 10 and the first surface 200 of the second body 20, andalways there is a second angle β between the second body 20 and theconnecting body 30.

Although in the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the firstbody 10 and the second body 20, on the whole, do not slide in parallelin an approximate fitting, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, in the first modeand the second mode, a maximum distance between corresponding points ofthe first body 10 and the second body 20 is also less than a firstpredetermined threshold. As will be appreciated, the first predeterminedthreshold in the second embodiment of the present disclosure will belarger than the first predetermined threshold in the first embodimentthereof, for example, the first predetermined threshold in the secondembodiment of the present disclosure is 1 cm, its specific length mainlydepends on the non-rotary member 60 in the connecting body 30. Likewise,in a process that the electronic device switches from the first mode tothe second mode through the arbitrary mode, a distance between the sixthend 22 of the second body 20 and the first surface 100 is maintained assmaller than the first predetermined threshold.

In addition, in the mode switching process shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, anexternal force needs to be acted on the electronic device. Specifically,in the first mode shown in FIG. 4A, when an external force F that has acomponent in a direction from the sixth end 22 to the fifth end 21 isacted on the second body 20, and a magnitude of the component of theexternal force satisfies a first preset condition, the electronic deviceswitches from the first mode to the second mode. Likewise, in the secondmode shown in FIG. 4C, when an external force F that has a component ina direction from the fifth end 21 to the sixth end 22 is acted on thesecond body 20, and a magnitude of the component of the external forcesatisfies a first preset condition, the electronic device switches fromthe second mode to the first mode. As already described above withreference to FIGS. 2A to 2C and 3, the first preset condition may belarger than the second preset condition.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the connecting bodyaccording to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shownin FIG. 5, the connecting body 30 according to the second embodiment ofthe present disclosure comprises two rotary member groups 40 and 50 andat least one non-rotary member 60 between the two rotary member groups,each rotary member group 40 and 50 comprises at least two rotary members401, 402, 501, 502. As described above, each of the at least two rotarymembers 401 and 402 (or 501 and 502) has a self-rotary shaft 411 and 412(or 511 and 512), and respective self-rotary shafts 411 and 412 (or 511and 512) of the at least two rotary members 401 and 402 (or 501 and 502)are parallel to each other. Likewise, for example, when an externalforce acted on one rotary member 401 is vertical to the self-rotaryshaft 411 thereof and a magnitude of a component in a directiontangential to an outer surface of the one rotary member 401 satisfies asecond preset condition, the one rotary member 401 can rotate around theself-rotary shaft 411 thereof. In addition, when there is no externalforce that satisfies the second preset condition on each of the rotarymembers of the two rotary member groups 40 and 50, the respective rotarymembers of the two rotary member groups 40 and 50 probably maintain amutual stability due to the damping, so as to ensure the relative stablestate between the first body 10, the second body 20, and the connectingbody 30 of the electronic device 1.

Likewise, in an example of the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure, when one rotary member (e.g., rotary member 401 or 501)rotates, the other rotary members (rotary member 402 or 502) rotateaccordingly. In addition, in another example of the second embodiment ofthe present disclosure, when the one rotary member (e.g., rotary member401) rotates, the other rotary member 502 does not rotate. Differentthan that the connecting body 30 is totally composed by rotary membersin the above first embodiment, since there is the non-rotary body 60 inthe connecting body 30 of the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure, no matter the rotary members therein all rotate in linkageor there is a rotary member that does not rotate in linkage, the firstbody 10 and the second body 20, on the whole, do not maintain sliding inparallel in the whole mode switching process.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating a third mode of theelectronic device according to the first and second embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 6A illustrates a case of thefirst embodiment where the connecting body 30 is composed by the atleast three rotary members 301-30 n, FIG. 6B illustrates a case of thesecond embodiment where the connecting body 30 comprises two rotarymember groups 40 and 50 and at least one rotary member 60 between thetwo rotary member groups. As shown in FIGS. 6 A and 6B, the electronicdevice further has a third mode, in which a first outer surface composedby the first surface 100 of the first body 10, the first surface 300 ofthe connecting body 30, and the first surface 200 of the second body 20is flat or approximately flat. Specifically, thickness of the first body10, thickness of the second body 20, and thickness of the connectingbody 30 are strictly the same, and when the first body 10 and theconnecting body 30, and the second body 20 and the connecting body 30fully rotate relative to each other to reach that an angle thereinbetween is 180 degrees, the first external surface is flat. Whenthickness of the first body 10, thickness of the second body 20, andthickness of the connecting body 30 are different, or the first body 10and the connecting body 30, and the second body 20 and the connectingbody 30 do not fully rotate relative to each other, and an angle thereinbetween is less than 180 degrees (e.g., 175 to 180 degrees), the firstexternal surface is approximately flat.

As described above, FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams illustrating aswitching process between a first mode and a second mode of theelectronic device according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure, and FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating aswitching process between the first mode and the second mode of theelectronic device according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure. It can be seen that, although in the first embodiment andthe second embodiment, configuration of the connecting body 30 isdifferent, the switching manner between the first mode and the secondmode are the same. In addition, FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic diagramsillustrating a switching process between the first mode and the thirdmode according to the first and second embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In FIGS. 7A to 7C, specific configuration of the connectingbody 30 is not shown in particular, in other words, in FIGS. 7A to 7C,the connecting body 30 may adopt either the configuration in the firstembodiment or the configuration in the second embodiment. Specifically,FIG. 7A illustrates the third mode of the electronic device of thepresent disclosure, FIG. 7C illustrates the first mode of the electronicdevice of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7B illustrates an arbitrarymode during the process of switching between the third mode and thefirst mode. From a comparison among FIGS. 2A to 2C, 4A to 4C, and 7A to7C, it can be clearly seen that, the difference between the first mannerand the second manner comprises: movement mode of the second body in thefirst manner and the second manner is different.

Hereinafter, different movement modes of the second body 20 in the firstmanner and the second manner will be explained from different angles.

First, it is possible to consider from the angle of different ways offorce acting.

The electronic device 1 may be made to switch between the second modeand the first mode with a first manner. In the second mode, with thefirst manner, an external force that has a component in the directionfrom the fifth end 21 to the sixth end 22 is acted on the second body20, and a magnitude of the external force satisfies the second presetcondition, that is, the external force is enough to make the second body20 slide relative to the first body 10 through the connecting body 30,so that the electronic device switches from the second mode to the firstmode. That is to say, in this case, with the first manner, the secondbody is acted upon by a push parallel to the first surface of theelectronic device 1 and pointing from the fifth end 21 to the sixth end22, in other words, the second body 20 is acted upon by a push forsliding in a direction of being close to the first body 10, so that theelectronic device 1 switches from the second mode to the first mode. Ofcourse, on the other hand, in the first mode, with the first manner, anexternal force that has a component in the direction from the sixth end22 to the fifth end 21 is acted on the second body 20, and a magnitudeof the external force satisfies the second preset condition, that is,the external force is enough to make the connecting body 30 move, sothat the electronic device switches from the first mode to the secondmode. That is to say, in this case, with the first manner, the secondbody is acted upon by a push parallel to the first surface of theelectronic device 1 and pointing from the sixth end 22 to the fifth end21, in other words, the second body 20 is acted upon by a push forsliding in a direction of being away from the first body 10, so that theelectronic device 1 switches from the first mode to the second mode.

The electronic device 1 may be made to switch between the third mode andthe first mode with the second manner. In the third mode, with thesecond manner, an external force that has a component in the rotarydirection from the sixth end 22 to be close to the first surface of thefirst body is acted on the second body 20, and a magnitude of theexternal force satisfies a third preset condition, that is, the externalforce is enough to make the second body 20 rotate relative to the firstbody 10 through the connecting body 30, so that the electronic deviceswitches from the third mode to the first mode. That is to say, in thiscase, with the second manner, the second body is acted upon by a pushhaving a certain angle (for example, the angle is 90 degrees) with thefirst surface of the second body 20 and pointing from a rotary directionfrom the sixth end 22 to be close to the first surface of the first body10, in other words, the second body 20 is acted upon by a push thatrotates the second body 10 toward a direction of being close to thefirst surface of the first body 10, so that the electronic device 1switches from the third mode to the first mode. Of course, on the otherhand, in the third mode, with the second manner, an external force thathas a component in the rotary direction from the sixth end 22 to be awayfrom the first surface of the first body is acted on the second body 20,and a magnitude of the external force satisfies the third presetcondition, that is, the external force is enough to make the second body20 rotate relative to the first body 10 through the connecting body 30,so that the electronic device switches from the first mode to the thirdmode. That is to say, in this case, with the second manner, the secondbody 20 is acted upon by a push having a certain angle (for example, theangle is 90 degrees) with the first surface of the second body 20 andpointing from a rotary direction from the sixth end 22 to be away fromthe first surface of the first body 10, in other words, the second body20 is acted upon by a push that rotates the second body 10 toward adirection of being away from the first surface of the first body 10, sothat the electronic device 1 switches from the first mode to the thirdmode.

Second, it is possible to consider from the angle of different movementdirections.

The electronic device 1 may be made to switch between the second modeand the first mode with the first manner. In the second mode, with thefirst manner, the second body 20 and the first body 10 move relativelyin parallel (in substance, totally parallel or approximately parallel),wherein an angle between the first body 10 and the second body 20maintains constant and less than the second predetermined threshold, sothat the electronic device 1 switches from the second mode to the firstmode. For example, in the first embodiment, the second body 20 and thefirst body 10 move relatively in total parallel, so that the anglebetween the first body 10 and the second body 20 maintains constant andis zero. However, in the second embodiment, in an allowable range, thesecond body 20 and the first body 10 move relatively in approximateparallel, in this case, the angle between the first body 10 and thesecond body 20 maintains constant and is α, of course, α is a valuesmaller than the second predetermined threshold. On the other hand, inthe first mode, with the first manner, the second body 20 and the firstbody 10 move relatively toward opposite directions, so that theelectronic device 1 switches from the first mode to the second mode.

The electronic device 1 may be made to switch between the third mode andthe first mode with the second manner. In the third mode, with thesecond manner, the second body 20 and the first body 10 rotaterelatively, wherein the angle between the first body 10 and the secondbody 20 reduces continuously, so that the electronic device switchesfrom the third mode to the first mode. On the other hand, in the thirdmode, with the second manner, the second body 20 and the first body 10rotate relatively in directions opposite to each other, wherein theangle between the first body 10 and the second body 20 increasescontinuously, so that the electronic device switches from the first modeto the third mode.

Thereafter, it is also possible to consider from the angle of differentdistances between the sixth end 22 and the first surface 100 of thefirst body 10 during a movement.

The electronic device 1 may be made to switch between the second modeand the first mode with the first manner. In the second mode, with thefirst manner, the second body 20 moves while maintaining the distancebetween the sixth end 22 and the first surface 100 of the first body 10as smaller than the first predetermined threshold, so that theelectronic device 1 switches from the second mode to the first mode. Ofcourse, on the other hand, in the first mode, with the first manner, thesecond body 20 moves while maintaining the distance between the sixthend 22 and the first surface 100 of the first body 10 as smaller thanthe first predetermined threshold, so that the electronic device 1switches from the first mode to the second mode. For example, theswitching between the second mode and the first mode may be made withthe first manner in a case where the body 20 and the first body 10 arein a complete fitting, in this case, the distance between the sixth end22 and the first surface of the first body 10 is zero. Another example,it is also possible to make only the sixth end 22 of the second body 20contact the first surface 100 of the first body 10 but the rest of thesecond body 20 does not contact, in this case, the distance between thesixth end 22 and the first surface of the first body 10 is a small valuein an allowable range, that is, smaller than the first predeterminedthreshold.

The electronic device 1 may be made to switch between the third mode andthe first mode with the second manner. In the third mode, with thesecond manner, the second body 20 moves while the distance between thesixth end 22 and the first surface of the first body 10 is made toincrease from the second predetermined threshold to a maximum and thenreduce to below the first predetermined threshold, so that theelectronic device 1 switches from the third mode to the first mode.Specifically, in the third mode, if, as described above, the firstsurface 100 of the first body 10, the second surface 200 of the secondbody 10, and the third surface 300 of the third body 30 are in one planestrictly, then when switching from the third mode to the first mode withthe second manner, first, the distance between the sixth end 22 and thefirst surface of the first body 10 is zero, that is, the secondpredetermined threshold is zero. Then, along that the second bodyrotates toward a direction of being close to the first body 10, thedistance between the two increases gradually to the maximum, forexample, the maximum is reached when the second body 20 and the firstbody 10 are vertical, thereafter, the distance between the two decreasesgradually to the first predetermined threshold, that is, the minimum isreached when the second body 20 and the first body 10 are totally oressentially fitting. In the third mode, if, as described above, thefirst surface 100 of the first body 10, the second surface 200 of thesecond body 10, and the third surface 300 of the third body 10 are inone plane strictly, then when switching from the third mode to the firstmode with the second manner, initially, the distance between the sixthend 22 and the first surface of the first body 10 is a non-zero smallvalue. On the other hand, in the first mode, with the second manner, thesecond body 20 moves while the distance between the sixth end 22 and thefirst surface of the first body 10 is made to increase from below thefirst predetermined threshold to a maximum and then reduce to the secondpredetermined threshold, so that the electronic device switches from thefirst mode to the third mode.

In the above, for convenience of understanding, differences between thefirst manner and the second manner for changing a mode are explainedfrom three different angles. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, anyother possible angles may also be used similarly to explain thedifferences between the first manner and the second manner.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams further illustrating theelectronic device provided with a display. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,the electronic device according to the first and second embodiments ofthe present disclosure further comprises a display 70 disposed at leaston the first surface 100 of the first body 10. Further, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, area of a first non-covered part 701 of the display 70in the first mode is different than area of a second non-covered part702 of the display 70 in the second mode.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the display 70 is a deformabledisplay, the display 70 is disposed at least in a region formed by thefirst surface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface 200 of thesecond body 20; or the display 70 is disposed in a region formed by thefirst surface 100 of the first body 10, the first surface 300 of theconnecting body 30, and the first surface 200 of the second body 20. Inthe first mode and the second mode described with reference to FIGS. 2Ato 2C and 4A to 4C, one part of the display covers another part of thedisplay 70.

Hereinafter, the electronic device 1 according to the first embodimentof the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a side view schematically illustrating thefirst mode of the electronic device according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematicallyillustrating the first mode of the electronic device according to thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the electronic device 1 has a first mode, inwhich the first surface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface200 of the second body 20 are in a parallel state or an approximatelyparallel state, and a first region 41 of the display 40 can beperceived.

It should be noted that, although in FIG. 10 the first mode of theelectronic device 1 is shown as that the first body 10 and the secondbody 20 are parallel (i.e., the first surface 100 of the first body 10and the first surface 200 of the second body 20 are parallel), thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. In the first mode of theelectronic device 1, the first body 10 and the second body 20 may beapproximately parallel, that is to say, the second body 20 may be tiltedslightly toward the position of the first body 10, so that the firstsurface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface 200 of the secondbody 20 form a certain angle, or the second body 20 may be tiltedslightly away from the position of the first body 10, so that the firstsurface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface 200 of the secondbody 20 also form a certain angle. For example, the angle is between 0to 30 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, thoseskilled in the art can set the aforesaid two tilting directions andangles as actually needed, as long as the first region 41 of the display40 can be perceived in the first mode.

For example, in the first mode, a second region 42 (shown with dottedlines in FIG. 10) of the display 40 cannot be perceived while the firstregion 41 of the display 40 can be perceived. The “cannot be perceived”may refer to that when the electronic device 1 in the first mode, a userof the electronic device cannot see or clearly see content displayed inthe second region 42 of the display 40, or when the electronic device 1in the first mode, a user of the electronic device cannot touch thesecond region 42 of the display 40.

For example, in the first mode, the first region 41 of the display 40 isnot covered by the second body 20, and the second region 42 of thedisplayed is covered by the second body 20. In the first mode shown inFIG. 9, the second body 20 and the first body 10 are parallel, thus thesecond region 42 of the display 40 is totally covered by the second body20, whereas the first region 41 of the display 40 is not covered by thesecond body 20. Since the second region 42 is covered by the second body20, the user at least cannot touch the second region 42. It should benoted that, although FIG. 9 shows a case where the second region 42 iscovered by the second body 20, those skilled in the art does notnecessarily deduce that the display content in the second region 42 ofthe display 40 is invisible. For example, when the second body 20 ismade from transparent material such as glass, transparent plastic, inthe first mode shown in FIG. 9, the user can still see display contentin the second region 42 of the display 40 through the display 40.Alternatively, when the second body is made from translucent materialsuch as translucent resin, the user can still see the display content inthe second region 42 through the second body 20, but in this case,legibility of the display content in the second region 42 is not high.

For example, the connecting body 30 has a rotary shaft (not shown inFIG. 9), and the first body 10 and the second body 20 have differentlengths in a direction vertical to the rotary shaft. As shown in FIG. 9,a length of the first body 10 in a direction vertical to the rotaryshaft is L1, a length of the second body 20 in a direction vertical tothe rotary shaft is L2, and L1>L2. In this case, when the user rotatesthe second body 20 along the rotary shaft of the connecting body 30relative to the first body, it is impossible for the second body 20 tototally cover the first body 10, that is, the user can perceive thefirst region 41 of the display 40.

It should be noted that, although it is shown in the above that thelength L1 of the first body 10 is larger than the length L2 of thesecond body 20, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, thelength L1 of the first body 10 may be smaller than the length L2 of thesecond body 20, in this case, since the connecting body 30 also has acertain length in a direction vertical to the rotary shaft, the secondbody 20 still can rotate relative to the first body 10 to cover a partof region of the first body 10, so that the user can perceive the firstregion 41 of the display 40. In addition, in this case, the user canfinally effectuate a parallel or relatively parallel state between thefirst surface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface 200 of thesecond body 20 in a manner of rotating the first body 10 along therotary shaft of the connecting body 30 relative to the second body 20,so that a part of the display disposed on the second body 20 can beperceived.

In addition, it should be noted that, to better explain the first mode,FIG. 10 shows the second display region 42 as being covered by thesecond body 20 and the connecting body 30, however, those skilled in theart can deduce from the description and teaching of the embodimentsdescribed above that, the second region 42 may be covered only by thesecond body 20 but not covered by the connecting body 30. In addition,in this embodiment, it is also shown that the display 40 is disposedonly on the first surface 100 of the first body 10, however, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, the display 40 may be disposed on thefirst surface 100 of the first body 10 and the third surface 300 of thethird body 30, or disposed on a first outer surface (composed by thefirst surface 100 of the first body 10, the first surface 300 of theconnecting body 30, and the first surface 200 of the second body 20) ofthe electronic device 1.

The electronic device may have a second mode. The second mode of theelectronic device 1 according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 11and 12. FIG. 11 is a side view schematically illustrating the secondmode of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically illustratingthe second mode of the electronic device according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

In the second mode shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first surface 100 ofthe first body 10 and the first surface 200 of the second body 20 are ina parallel state or in an approximately parallel state, and a thirdregion 43 of the display 40 can be perceived, and the third region 43 isdifferent than the first region 41.

Although the second mode of the electronic device 1 is shown as that thefirst body 10 and the second body 20 are parallel (i.e., the firstsurface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface 200 of the secondbody 20 are parallel), like the description of the first mode providedabove with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the first body 10 and the secondbody 20 may also be approximately parallel, that is to say, the firstsurface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface 200 of the secondbody 20 form a certain angle. For example, the angle is also between 0to 30 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, thoseskilled in the art can set a degree of the angle as actually needed, aslong as the third region 43 of the display 40 can be perceived in thesecond mode.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the second mode, the third region 43 of thedisplay 40 is not covered by the second body 20, and a fourth region 44of the display 40 is covered by the second body 20. Similar to the firstmode described above, since the fourth region 44 is covered by thesecond body 20, the user at least cannot touch the fourth region 44.Although FIG. 12 shows a case where the fourth region 44 is covered bythe second body 20, those skilled in the art does not necessarily deducethat the display content in the fourth region 44 of the display 40 isinvisible. For example, when the second body 20 is made from transparentmaterial such as glass, transparent plastic, in this way, the user canstill see display content in the fourth region 44 of the display 40through the display 40. As shown in FIG. 12, because the region coveredby the first body 20 of the first body 10 in the second mode is smallerthan in the first mode, the third region 43 of the display 40 is largerthan the first region 41.

Although in the case described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, thethird region 43 of the display 40 is larger than the first region 41,the present disclosure is not limited thereto, the third region 43 maybe smaller than the first region 41. For example, as described above, inthe case where the length L1 of the first body 10 is smaller than thelength L2 of the second body 20, when the user rotates the first body 10and makes it cover the second body 20, since the first body 10 cannottotally cover the second body 20, a part of region of the displaydisposed on the second body 20 can be perceived, such part of region ofthe display may be regarded as the third region, and the third regionmay be smaller than the first region 41 in appropriate circumstances.

In addition, it should be also noted that, to better explain the secondmode, FIG. 12 shows the fourth region 44 as being covered only by thesecond body 20, however, those skilled in the art can deduce form thedescription and teaching of the embodiments described above that, thefourth region 44 may be covered by the connecting body 30 (i.e., coveredby the second body 20 and the connecting body 30). In addition, asdescribed above, the display 40 may be disposed on the first surface 100of the first body 10 and the third surface 300 of the third body 30, ordisposed on a first outer surface of the electronic device 1.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams further illustrating theelectronic device provided with a sensor. As described above withreference to FIGS. 1 to 12, the electronic device according to theembodiments of the present disclosure have multiple different operatingmodes (such as the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode), andas shown in FIGS. 9A to 12, in different operating modes, the display 70disposed on the electronic device will be covered differently, thusthere are different exposed regions. Therefore, multiple differentoperating modes of the electronic device may correspond to differentoperating modes, and different display content may be provided to thedisplay 70 according to different operating modes.

Therefore, the electronic device may further comprise a sensor (notshown) disposed in the first body 10 and/or the connecting body 30and/or the second body 20, and configured to detect a mode of theelectronic device; and a processor (not shown) disposed in the firstbody 10 and/or the connecting body 30 and/or the second body 20, andconfigured to control a mode switching of the electronic deviceaccording to a mode detected by the sensor.

Specifically, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 13A, the sensor comprises a photosensitive sensor 80, thephotosensitive sensor 80 comprises a light detecting array disposedcorresponding to a light emitting array of the display 70, and isconfigured to determine an exposed region of the display according to aregion that satisfies a predetermined luminance threshold in the lightdetecting array, so as to determine a mode of the electronic device.This is because in different modes of the electronic device, the displayis differently covered by the connecting body 30 and/or the second body20, and thereby has a different exposed region. Only the part disposedunder the outer region of the light detecting array will sense entry oflight that satisfies the predetermined luminance threshold, and thelight sensed by the other covered part of the light detecting array doesnot satisfy the predetermined luminance threshold. Therefore, the partthat detects the light that satisfies the predetermined luminancethreshold of the light detecting array corresponds to an exposed regionof the display 70 in a current mode.

In addition, the photosensitive sensor 80 may further determine whethera size of the part sensing the light that satisfies the predeterminedluminance threshold of the light detecting array increases gradually orsharply. If the photosensitive sensor 80 determines a size of the partsensing the light that satisfies the predetermined luminance thresholdof the light detecting array increases gradually, it should bedetermined that mode is switched with the first manner. On the otherhand, if the photosensitive sensor determines size of the part sensingthe light that satisfies the predetermined luminance threshold of thelight detecting array increases sharply, it should be determined thatmode is switched with the second manner.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 13B,the sensor comprises a bending detecting sensor 90 disposed in theconnecting body 30 and configured to determine a mode of the electronicdevice according to a state of the connecting body 30. For example, thebending detecting sensor 90 may be an angle sensor that senses a currentbending angle of the connecting body 30. By setting specific dimensionsof the first body 10, the connecting body 30, and the second body 20 inadvance, after the current bending angle of the connecting body 30 issensed, it is possible to thereby determine a current mode of theelectronic device.

In addition, the bending detecting sensor 90 may further detect rotationof the rotary shafts comprised in the connecting body 30. Specifically,as described above, the connecting body 30 may comprise multiple rotaryshafts. For example, if the bending detecting sensor 90 detects thatonly some rotary shafts among the multiple rotary shafts rotate whilethe rest do not, and the rotary shafts that rotate change in sequence(e.g., 311, 312, 313 at a current moment, 312, 313, 314 in a nextmoment), then it should be determined that mode is switched with thefirst manner. On the other hand, if the bending detecting sensor 90detects that all rotary shafts among the multiple rotary shafts rotate,and then it should be determined that mode is switched with the secondmanner.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processorcomprises a display control processor (not shown), which switchesdisplay content on the display according to a mode switching of theelectronic device, and thereby adaptively provides the user with adisplay that best suits a current mode of the electronic device.

Next, different examples of switching of display content during a modeswitching will be described in detail.

As a first example, suppose that in the second mode, the display 70displays a third content. When the sensor detects that the electronicdevice 1 switches from the second mode to the first mode with the firstmanner described above, the display control processor controls thedisplay 70 to switch from displaying the third content to displaying afirst content.

Because, as described above, area of a first non-covered part of thedisplay in the first mode is smaller than area of a second non-coveredpart of the display in the second mode, thus, the first content that canbe displayed in the first mode certainly is less than the second contentthat can be displayed in the second mode. Here, the first content is apart of the third content, and the first content is different than afirst sub-content of the third content, the first sub-content is acontent displayed in the second mode in the region where the firstcontent resides. That is to say, although the first content is a part ofthe third content, it is not simply cutting the third content as it is,instead, it is a simplified re-combination of respective items in thethird content. That is to say, when switching from the second mode tothe first mode with the first manner, it is possible to switch theelectronic device to a more simplified operating mode.

For example, FIG. 14A shows an example of the display content when theexposed region (i.e., non-covered part) of the display 70 is large,whereas FIG. 14B shows another example of the display content when theexposed region (i.e., non-covered part) of the display 70 is small. Asshown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the third content may be a complete contentthat comprises playback control buttons (comprising play, pause, fastforward, etc.), a playback progress bar, lyrics, album covers, etc., andthe first content may be a simplified content that comprises only theplayback control buttons and the playback progress bar. Of course, inthe first content, layout of the playback control buttons and theplayback progress bar needs to be re-arranged.

It is usually recognized that, when the user changes from the secondmode to the first mode with the first manner, there is a highpossibility for the user to desire to further operate the electronicdevice, and since valid area that executes displaying of the displayreduces, thus displaying is switched to the simplified content displayto facilitate further operating of the user.

On the other hand, suppose in the first mode, the display 70 displaysthe first content. When the sensor detects that the electronic device 1switches from the first mode to the second mode with the first mannerdescribed above, the display control processor controls the display 70to switch from displaying the first content to displaying the thirdcontent.

As a second example, suppose in the third mode, the display 70 displaysa fourth content, when the sensor detects that the electronic device 1switches from the third mode to the first mode with the second mannerdescribed above, the display control processor controls the display 70to switch from displaying the fourth content to displaying a secondcontent.

Different than that the first content and the third content in the firstexample are relevant, in the second example, the second content ispredetermined content, and the second content is irrelevant to thefourth content. Switching from the third mode to the first mode with thesecond manner can switch the electronic device to an operating moderequiring less power consumption and/or less operation procedures. Forexample, FIG. 14A shows an example of the display content when theexposed region (i.e., non-covered part) of the display 70 is large,whereas FIG. 14C shows another example of the display content when theexposed region (i.e., non-covered part) of the display 70 is small. Asshown in FIGS. 14A and 14C, the fourth content may be also a completecontent that comprises playback control buttons (comprising play, pause,fast forward, etc.), a playback progress bar, lyrics, album covers,etc., and the second content may be a screen lock interface.

It is usually recognized that, when the user changes the second mode tothe third mode with the second manner, there is a high possibility forthe user to desire to not operate the electronic device any more, thusthe electronic device is directly switched to a screen lock mode and thedisplay displays a screen lock interface so as to reduce powerconsumption effectively.

On the other hand, suppose in the first mode, the display 70 displaysthe second content. When the sensor detects that the electronic device 1switches from the first mode to the third mode with the second mannerdescribed above, the display control processor controls the display 70to switch from displaying the second content to displaying the fourthcontent.

In the above, situations of switching between the first mode and thesecond mode with the first manner and switching between the first modeand the third mode with the second manner are respectively illustratedwith two independent examples. However, it is also possible to combinethe first example and the second example, that is, in one example, thesituations of switching between the first mode and the second mode withthe first manner and switching between the first mode and the third modewith the second manner are both comprised.

As a third example, suppose in the second mode, the display 70 displaysa fifth content. When the sensor detects that the electronic device 1switches from the first mode to the second mode with the first mannerdescribed above, the display control processor controls the display 70to switch from displaying the fifth content of the first disclosure todisplaying a sixth content of the first application. And suppose in thethird mode, the display 70 displays a seventh content of the firstapplication. In the third example, what should be focused on is thatdisplay content will be different when switching to the first mode withdifferent manners (the first manner or the second manner) in a casewhere the same application is displayed in the first mode and the thirdmode. Here, it should be noted that, since area of the secondnon-covered part of the display in the second mode is smaller than areaof the third non-covered part of the display in the third mode, thuseven if the same application is displayed in the second mode and thirdmode, content of the same application will be different slightly.Therefore, in the above, the two are differentiated with the fifthcontent of the first application and the seventh content of the firstapplication. When the detecting unit detects that the electronic device1 switches from the third mode to the first mode with the second manner,the display control processor controls the display 70 to switch fromdisplaying the seventh content of the first application to displaying aneighth content of a non-first application, wherein the eighth content ofa non-first application is irrelevant to the seventh content of thefirst application. For example, the eighth content of a non-firstapplication may be a screen lock interface.

In this way, when the user changes the second mode to the first modewith the first manner, there is a high possibility for the user todesire to further operate the electronic device, and when the userchanges the third mode to the first mode with the second manner, thereis a high possibility for the user to desire to not operate theelectronic device any more, thus the display control sub-unit isconfigured to switch the display content from the fifth content of thefirst application to the sixth content thereof when switching the secondmode to the first mode with the first manner, wherein the sixth contentand the fifth content are relevant, so as to facilitate furtheroperating of the user, and the display control sub-unit is configured toswitch the display content from the seventh content of the firstapplication to the eighth content of a non-first application whenswitching the third mode to the first mode with the second manner, so asto facilitate reducing power consumption effectively.

The sixth content of the first application may be generated in two waysbelow. Similar to the first example described above, the sixth contentof the first application may be a part of the fifth content of the firstapplication, but different than a first sub-content of the fifthcontent, the first sub-content is content displayed in the second modein the region where the fifth content resides. That is, the sixthcontent of the first application may be partially the same as the fifthcontent of the first application.

In addition, alternatively, the sixth content of the first applicationmay be generated based on the fifth content of the first application,wherein the sixth content is different than the fifth content. Forexample, the first application is a shopping application, and the fifthcontent of the first application in the second mode is commodityinformation. When the electronic device switches from the second mode tothe first mode with the first manner, the displayed sixth content of thefirst application is bar codes corresponding to the commodity.

Thus it can be seen that, after switching with the first manner, thesixth content may be the same as or completely different than the fifthcontent. However, the sixth content and the fifth content are relevantno matter the two are the same or not. In contrast, after switching withthe second manner, the eighth content and the seventh content are notthe same and are irrelevant.

As a fourth example, suppose that in the second mode, the display 70displays the fifth content of the first application. The display controlprocessor is configured to further determine a type of the firstapplication, and based on the type of the first application, the displaycontrol processor controls content displayed after a switching.

Specifically, when the sensor detects that the electronic device 1switches from the second mode to the first mode, if the display controlprocessor further determines that the type of the first application is acontinuous type, such as music player, navigation and otherapplications, then the display control processor controls the display 70to display a sixth content of the first application, the sixth contentis a part of the fifth content, and it is different than a firstsub-content of the fifth content, the first sub-content is contentdisplayed in the second mode in the region where the fifth contentresides. For example, the display control processor further determinesthat the type of the first application is a continuous type, then thedisplay control processor controls to display a simplified interface ofthe first application, in the simplified interface, a part of thecomplete content is selected to display. For example, the firstapplication is a music player, after switching from the second mode tothe first mode, the first content changes into a part of contentselected from among a complete content of playback control buttons(comprising play, pause, fast forward, etc.), a playback progress bar,lyrics, album covers, etc., such as the playback control buttons and theplayback progress bar. Alternatively, the display control processor mayalso control the display 70 to display a sixth content of the firstapplication, the sixth content is generated based on the first contentand is different than the fifth content. For example, if the displaycontrol processor determines that the type of the first application is acontinuous type, then the display control processor may also re-generatea simplified interface of the first application. For example, the firstapplication is a navigation application, after switching from the secondmode to the first mode, the first content changes into arrow navigation,the arrow navigation here is completely different than a completenavigation content displayed previously.

On the other hand, if the display control processor determines that thetype of the first application is a non-continuous type, then the displaycontrol processor controls the display 70 to display an eighth contentof a non-first application, wherein the eighth content of a non-firstapplication is irrelevant to the fifth content of the first application.For example, if the display control processor determines that the typeof the first application is a non-continuous type, then the displaycontrol processor controls the display 70 to display a screen lockinterface.

In this way, when the user changes the second mode to the first mode ina case where the current running application is a continuous-typeapplication, there is a high possibility for the user to desire tofurther operate the electronic device 1, and when the user changes thesecond mode to the first mode in a case where the current runningapplication is a non-continuous-type application, there is a highpossibility for the user to desire to not operate the electronic deviceany more, thus the display control processor is configured to switch thedisplay content from the fifth content of the first application to thesixth content thereof in the case where the current running applicationis a continuous-type application, wherein the sixth content and thefifth content are relevant, so as to facilitate further operating of theuser, and the display control processor is configured to switch thedisplay content from the fifth content of the first application to theeighth content of a non-first application when switching from the secondmode to the first mode in the case where the current running applicationis a non-continuous-type application, so as to facilitate reducing powerconsumption effectively.

As a fifth example, suppose that in the second mode, the display 70displays the fifth content of the first application. Different than thedisplay control processor is configured to further determine a type ofthe first application in the fourth example, in the fifth example, thedisplay control processor is configured to further determine a type ofan operation that is being current executed, and based on the type of anoperation that is being current executed, the display control processorcontrols content displayed after a switching. That is to say, even ifthe type of the application that is currently running is acontinuous-type application, but no continuous-type operation (such asexecuting music playing, executing a navigation, and other operations)is executed currently, then the displaying is still switched to theeighth content of a non-first application.

Specifically, when the sensor detects that the electronic device 1switches from the second mode to the first mode, if the display controlprocessor further determines that the type of the operation is acontinuous type, such as executing music playing, executing a navigationand other operations, then the display control processor controls thedisplay 70 to display a sixth content of the first application, thesixth content is a part of the fifth content, and it is different than afirst sub-content of the fifth content, the first sub-content is contentdisplayed in the second mode in the region where the fifth contentresides. For example, the display control processor further determinesthat the type of the operation is a continuous type, then the displaycontrol processor controls to display a simplified interface of thefirst application. Alternatively, the display control processor may alsocontrol the display 70 to display a sixth content of the firstapplication, the sixth content is generated based on the fifth contentand is different than the fifth content. For example, if the displaycontrol processor determines that the type of the first operation is acontinuous type, then the display control processor may also re-generatea simplified interface of the first application.

On the other hand, if the display control processor determines that thetype of the operation is a non-continuous type, then the display controlprocessor controls the display 70 to display an eighth content of anon-first application, wherein the eighth content of a non-firstapplication is irrelevant to the fifth content of the first application.For example, if the display control processor determines that the typeof the operation is a non-continuous type, then the display controlprocessor controls the display 70 to display a screen lock interface.

In this way, when the user changes the second mode to the first mode inthe case where the type of an operation that is being currently executedis a continuous type, there is a high possibility for the user to desireto further operate the electronic device 1, and when the user changesthe second mode to the first mode in the case where the type of anoperation that is being currently executed is a non-continuous type,there is a high possibility for the user to desire to not operate theelectronic device any more, thus the display control processor isconfigured to switch the fifth content of the first application to thesixth content thereof in the case where the type of an operation that isbeing current executed is a continuous type, wherein the sixth contentand the fifth content are relevant, so as to facilitate furtheroperating of the user, and the display control processor is configuredto switch the fifth content of the first application to the eighthcontent of a non-first application when switching the second mode to thefirst mode in the case where the type of an operation that is beingcurrently executed is a non-continuous type, so as to facilitatereducing power consumption effectively.

FIG. 15 is a first flowchart illustrating a mode switching methodaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.15, a first example of the mode switching method according to anembodiment of the present disclosure comprises steps provided below.

In step S1501, a mode of the electronic device is detected. As describedabove, the electronic device has at least a first mode, in which a firstsurface of the first body is covered by the connecting body and thesecond body, and a second mode, in which a surface composed by the firstsurface of the first body and a first surface of the connecting body iscovered by the second body. The mode of the electronic device may bedetected by a sensor disposed in the first body and/or the connectingbody and/or the second body. Thereafter, the process proceeds to stepS1502.

In step S1502, a mode switching of the electronic device is controlledaccording to a detected mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds to stepS1503.

In step S1503, display content on a display of the electronic device isswitched according to a mode switching of the electronic device.

FIG. 16 is a second flowchart illustrating a mode switching methodaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.16, a first example of the mode switching method according to anembodiment of the present disclosure comprises steps provided below.

In step S1601, a mode switching and/or a mode switching manner of anelectronic device is detected. As described above, wherein theelectronic device comprises: a first body; a connecting body; and asecond body connected to the first body through the connecting body;wherein based on the connecting body, the electronic device has at leastthree modes, in a first mode the first body and the second body have afirst relative positional relationship, in a second mode the first bodyand the second body have a second relative positional relationship, andin a third mode the first body and the second body have a third relativepositional relationship, the first relative positional relationship, thesecond relative positional relationship, and the third positionalrelationship are different each other; and the electronic device canswitch from the second mode to the first mode with a first manner, andswitch from the third mode to the first mode with a second manner. Thefirst manner and the second manner are different. The mode of theelectronic device may be detected by a sensor disposed in the first bodyand/or the connecting body and/or the second body. Thereafter, theprocess proceeds to step S1602.

In step S1602, a mode switching of the electronic device is controlledaccording to a detected mode switching or a detected mode switchingmanner. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1603.

In step S1603, display content on a display of the electronic device isswitched according to a mode switching of the electronic device.

As a first example, suppose that in the second mode, the display 70displays the third content. When it is detected that the electronicdevice 1 switches from the second mode to the first mode with the firstmanner described above, the display 70 is controlled to switch fromdisplaying the third content to displaying a first content.

Because, as described above, area of a first non-covered part of thedisplay in the first mode is smaller than area of a second non-coveredpart of the display in the second mode, thus, the first content that canbe displayed in the first mode certainly is less than the third contentthat can be displayed in the second mode. Here, the first content is apart of the third content, and the first content is different than afirst sub-content of the third content, the first sub-content is acontent displayed in the second mode in the region where the firstcontent resides. That is to say, although the first content is a part ofthe third content, it is not simply cutting the third content as it is,instead, it is a simplified re-combination of respective items in thethird content.

On the other hand, suppose in the first mode, the display 70 displaysthe first content. When it is detected that the electronic device 1switches from the first mode to the second mode with the first mannerdescribed above, the display 70 is controlled to switch from displayingthe first content to displaying the third content.

As a second example, suppose in the third mode, the display 70 displaysa fourth content, when it is detected that the electronic device 1switches from the third mode to the first mode with the second mannerdescribed above, the display 70 is controlled to switch from displayingthe fourth content to displaying the second content.

Different than that the first content and the third content in the firstexample are relevant, in the second embodiment, the second content is apredetermined content, and the second content is irrelevant to thefourth content.

On the other hand, suppose in the first mode, the display 70 displaysthe second content. When it is detected that the electronic device 1switches from the first mode to the third mode with the second mannerdescribed above, the display 70 is controlled to switch from displayingthe second content to displaying the fourth content.

As a third example, suppose in the second mode, the display 70 displaysthe fifth content. When it is detected that the electronic device 1switches from the second mode to the first mode with the first mannerdescribed above, the display 70 is controlled to switch from displayingthe fifth content of the first application to displaying a sixth contentof the first application. And suppose in the third mode, the display 70displays a seventh content of the first application. In the thirdexample, what should be focused on is that display content will bedifferent when switching to the first mode with different manners (thefirst manner or the second manner) in a case where the same applicationis displayed in the second mode and the third mode. Here, it should benoted that, since area of the second non-covered part of the display inthe second mode is smaller than area of the third non-covered part ofthe display in the third mode, thus even if the same application isdisplayed in the second mode and third mode, content of the sameapplication will be different slightly. Therefore, in the above, the twoare differentiated with the fifth content of the first application andthe seventh content of the first application. When it is detected thatthe electronic device 1 switches from the third mode to the first modewith the second manner described above, the display 70 is controlled toswitch from displaying the seventh content of the first application todisplaying an eighth content of a non-first application, wherein theeighth content of a non-first application is irrelevant to the seventhcontent of the first application. For example, the eighth content of anon-first application may be a screen lock interface.

As a fourth example, suppose that in the second mode, the display 70displays the fifth content of the first application. The mode switchingmethod further comprises determining a type of the first application,and content displayed after a switching is controlled based on the typeof the first application.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the type of the firstapplication is a non-continuous type, then the display 70 is controlledto display an eighth content of a non-first application, wherein theeighth content of a non-first application is irrelevant to the fifthcontent of the first application. For example, if it is determined thatthat the type of the first application is a non-continuous type, thenthe display 70 is controlled to display a screen lock interface.

As a fifth example, suppose that in the second mode, the display 70displays the fifth content of the first application. Different thanfurther determining a type of the first application in the fourthexample, in the fifth example, the mode switching method furthercomprises determining a type of an operation that is being currentexecuted, and content displayed after a switching is controlled based onthe type of an operation that is being current executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the type of the operation isa non-continuous type, then the display 70 is controlled to display aneighth content of a non-first application, wherein the eighth content ofa non-first application is irrelevant to the fifth content of the firstapplication. For example, if it is determined that the type of theoperation is a non-continuous type, then the display 70 is controlled todisplay a screen lock interface.

Hereinafter, an electronic device and an information processing methodthereof according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure willbe further described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.

As shown in FIG. 17, the electronic device according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a first body 10 having afirst surface and a second surface that are opposite; a connecting body30 having a first surface and a second surface that are opposite; and asecond body 20 having a first surface and a second surface that areopposite, and being connected to the first body through the connectingbody; wherein the electronic device has a first outer surface and asecond outer surface, the first outer surface comprises a first surfaceof the first body, a first surface of the connecting body, and a firstsurface of the second body, the second outer surface comprises a secondsurface of the first body, a second surface of the connecting body, anda second surface of the second body.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the electronic device according to thethird embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises: a firstdisplay 40 disposed at least in a part of region of the first outersurface of the electronic device, shown with solid line in FIG. 17.

Specifically, in the first example, the first display may be disposed inthe entire first outer surface, i.e., across three parts: the firstsurface of the first body, the first surface of the connecting body, andthe first surface of the second body. In a second example, the firstdisplay may be disposed in a part of region of the first outer surface,for example, across at least a part of the first surface of the firstbody and the first surface of the connecting body. Of course, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, the first display may bedisposed only on the first surface of the first body.

It should be noted that, in a case where the first display is disposedacross two bodies or three bodies, in the first example, the firstdisplay may comprise corresponding two or three display screens,respective display screens are arranged adjacent to each other closely.In the second example, the first display may comprise only a whole pieceof display screen.

In addition, the electronic device in this embodiment of the presentdisclosure has at least two modes, hereinafter described as a secondmode and a third mode, respectively. In the second mode, a second regionof the first display can be perceived by a viewer. In the third mode, athird region of the first display can be perceived by a viewer. Thethird region is larger than the second region.

Specifically, a surface composed by the first surface of the first bodyand the first surface of the connecting body in the second mode iscovered by the second body, and a second non-covered part of the firstbody corresponds to the second region. That is to say, the second regionthat can be perceived by the viewer is an exposed region of the firstdisplay in this case. In the third mode, the first surface of the firstbody is not covered. An angle between the first body and the second bodyis larger than a threshold, the threshold may be set at will by thoseskilled in the art as needed, and the present disclosure makes nolimitation thereto. As an example, the threshold is larger than 120degrees. As another example, the threshold is larger than 150 degrees.That is to say, in the third mode, an obtuse angle is formed between thefirst body and the second body, it even is close to 180 degrees, thatis, the plane formed by the first body and the second body isapproximately flat. In addition, the first outer surface corresponds tothe third region. Likewise, the third region can be perceived by theviewer is an exposed region of the first display in this case.

In addition, the electronic device may further have a first mode. In thefirst mode, a first region of the first display can be perceived by theviewer, and a surface composed by the first surface of the first bodyand the first surface of the connecting body is covered by the secondbody, and a first non-covered part of the first body corresponds to thefirst region. The display control unit described below is forcontrolling to display a first interface in the first region in thefirst mode.

In addition, the first mode and the second mode can be switched by amode of maintaining a distance between the sixth end and the firstsurface as smaller than the first predetermined threshold.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the electronic device in thisembodiment of the present disclosure further comprises a display controlunit (not shown). The display control unit may be disposed in any of thefirst body, the second body, and the connecting body. Specifically, thedisplay control unit is for controlling to display a third interface ina third region in the third mode. The third interface comprises at leasta first sub-interface and a second sub-interface. In addition, thedisplay control unit is further for controlling to display a secondinterface in the second region in the second mode, the second interfacecomprises only a third sub-interface. In other words, different than thethird interface that comprises at least two sub-interfaces, the secondinterface is composed by a single sub-interface. The second interfaceand the third interface will be described in detail later with referenceto specific examples.

In addition, the electronic device in this embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further comprise a first sensor (not shown). The firstsensor is for sensing a parameter indicating a mode of the electronicdevice, so as to generate a corresponding trigger signal. Specifically,in the first example, the first sensor comprises a photosensitivesensor, the photosensitive sensor comprises a light detecting arraydisposed corresponding to a light emitting array of the display, and isconfigured to determine an exposed region of the display according to aregion that satisfies a predetermined luminance threshold in the lightdetecting array, as a parameter indicating a mode of the electronicdevice. In a second example, the first sensor comprises a bendingdetecting unit disposed in the connecting body and configured todetermine a bending state of the connecting body as a parameterindicating a mode of the electronic device.

Accordingly, in response to a trigger signal generated by the firstsensor and indicating that the electronic device switches from thesecond mode to the third mode, the display control unit switches fromthe second interface to the third interface, or in response to a triggersignal indicating that the electronic device switches from the thirdmode to the second mode, the display control unit switches from thethird interface to the second interface.

Different scenarios of the electronic device in the third embodiment ofthe present disclosure will be described in detail below.

In a first scenario, the electronic device is in the second mode, andthe second interface is displayed in the second region of the firstdisplay. The second interface is a chat interface of a chat application.When the first sensor senses that the electronic device changes from thesecond mode to the third mode, the display control unit correspondinglyswitches the second interface to the third interface. The thirdinterface is another interface of the chat application different thanthe chat interface, such as a sharing interface that displays a map andshares location. The sharing interface may have a first sub-interfaceand a second sub-interface. The first sub-interface is, for example, anoperation region to join in and quit from sharing. The secondsub-interface is, for example, a shared region where shared content isdisplayed. That is to say, in the first scenario, in the second mode, afirst invoked interface of a certain application is displayed. When theelectronic device switches from the second mode to the third mode, and asecond invoked interface of the same application different than thefirst invoked interface is displayed. Accordingly, the user canconveniently switch between multiple interfaces of an application, makefull use of various functions of the application, which improves userexperience.

In a second scenario, the electronic device is in the second mode, andthe second interface is displayed in the second region of the firstdisplay. The second interface is a chat interface of a chat application.When the first sensor senses that the electronic device changes from thesecond mode to the third mode, the display control unit correspondinglyswitches the second interface to the third interface. The thirdinterface is another interface of the chat application, such as anextended chat interface. The extended chat interface may have a firstsub-interface and a second sub-interface. The first sub-interface, forexample, corresponds to a chat interface in the second mode. The secondsub-interface is, for example, a shared interface for sharing. That is,in the second scenario, in the second mode, a first invoked interface ofa certain application is displayed. When the electronic device switchesfrom the second mode to the third mode, a second invoked interface ofthe same application is displayed, and the first sub-interface in thesecond invoked interface corresponds to the first invoked interface.Accordingly, the user can conveniently switch between multipleinterfaces of an application, the interfaces before and after theswitching have a functional continuity, which improves user experience.

In a third scenario, the electronic device is in the second mode, andthe second interface is displayed in the second region of the firstdisplay. The second interface is a chat interface of a chat application.When the first sensor senses that the electronic device changes from thesecond mode to the third mode, the display control unit correspondinglyswitches the second interface to the third interface. The thirdinterface is an interface of another application different than the chatapplication, such as an interface of a navigation application. Theinterface of the navigation application may have a first sub-interfaceand a second sub-interface. The first sub-interface is, for example, areal view navigation interface. The second sub-interface is, forexample, a planar map navigation interface. That is to say, in the thirdscenario, in the second mode, a first invoked interface of a certainapplication is displayed. When the electronic device switches from thesecond mode to the third mode, and a second invoked interface of adifferent application is displayed. Accordingly, the user canconveniently switch between multiple applications without exiting anapplication, which improves user experience.

In a fourth scenario, the electronic device is in the second mode, andthe second interface is displayed in the second region of the firstdisplay. The second interface is a chat interface of a chat application.When the first sensor senses that the electronic device changes from thesecond mode to the third mode, the display control unit correspondinglyswitches the second interface to the third interface. The thirdinterface has a first sub-interface and a second sub-interface. Thefirst sub-interface is, for example, an interface of another applicationdifferent than the chat application, such as a navigation interface. Thesecond sub-interface is, for example, an interface of yet anotherapplication different than the chat application, such as memo interface.That is, in the fourth scenario, in the second mode, a first invokedinterface of a certain application is displayed. When the electronicdevice switches from the second mode to the third mode, and a secondinvoked interface comprising application interfaces of two applicationsdifferent than the aforesaid application is displayed. Accordingly, theuser can conveniently switch between multiple applications withoutexiting an application, which improves user experience.

It should be noted that, in the above, the aforesaid several scenariosare described with switching from the second mode to the third mode asan example. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, theabove scenarios may be also acted to the case of switching from thethird mode to the second mode.

In addition, should be noted that, in the various scenarios describedabove, layout, display direction, and size of respective interfaces maybe designed in various ways.

In the first example, layout between the first sub-interface and thesecond sub-interface may be designed as follows. Specifically, when theelectronic device switches from the second mode to the third mode, thedisplay control unit can control to display the first sub-interface inthe second region to which second mode corresponds, and display thesecond sub-interface in the region other than the second region in thethird region. This is especially advantageous to the second scenariodescribed above. That is to say, not only the interfaces before andafter the switching have a functional continuity, but also theinterfaces before and after the switching have a displaying continuity,which further improves user experience.

In the second example, a display direction of the display interface maybe determined with reference to a mode of the electronic device. That isto say, even if the electronic device comprises a sensor like a gravitysensor and has the function of adaptively changing a display direction,it is also possible to determine whether to enable this functionaccording to a mode of the electronic device. Specifically, in thisexample, the electronic device may further comprise a second sensorconfigured to sense a spatial movement parameter of the electronicdevice. The second sensor is, for example, a gravity sensor, anacceleration sensor and other sensors. The spatial movement parameteris, for example, an acceleration of the electronic device and otherparameters. When the electronic device is in the second mode, thedisplay control unit does not respond to the spatial movement parameterto change the direction of the second interface. On the other hand, whenthe electronic device is in the third mode, the display control unitresponds to the spatial movement parameter to change the displaydirection of the third interface. That is to say, in this example, whenthe electronic device is in the second mode, the display direction ofthe electronic device is “locked”, and it may also be understood as thatthe function that the electronic device adaptively changes the displaydirection according to the spatial movement parameter is disabled. Whenthe electronic device is in the third mode, the display direction of theelectronic device is not “locked”, and it may also be understood as thatthe function that the electronic device adaptively changes the displaydirection according to the spatial movement parameter is enabled.

In a third example, on the basis of the second example described above,the electronic device may further determine layout of the firstsub-interface and the second sub-interface in the third mode accordingto the spatial movement parameter. Specifically, in this example, in thethird mode, the processor, in response to a first spatial movementparameter indicating that the electronic device is vertical, displaysthe first sub-interface and the second sub-interface as verticallyarranged; the processor, in response to a first spatial movementparameter indicating that the electronic device is horizontal, displaysthe first sub-interface and the second sub-interface as horizontallyarranged. Accordingly, layout of the first sub-interface and the secondsub-interface in the third mode can be controlled according to thespatial movement parameter of the electronic device, to make it bettermeet the user's habits, which improves user experience.

In addition, the electronic device further comprises: a first input unitdisposed at least in a second surface of the second part; a seconddisplay disposed at least in a second surface of the second body;wherein the first input unit and second display disposed at least in asecond surface of the second part are set a stacked manner. In thesecond mode, a character array (e.g., a virtual keyboard) is displayedon the second display, each position of the character array indicates acorresponding input character when the user performs a touch input, theprocessor determines a corresponding character in response to a clickinput operation on the first input unit, and the character is displayedin the second interface. Accordingly, in the second mode, the user canconveniently perform a character input operation in a case where thedisplay direction of the electronic device is “locked”, therebyincreasing input efficiency, which improves user experience.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are schematic diagrams illustrating displaying of theelectronic device according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the electronic device is in a second mode. In thesecond mode, a surface composed by the first surface of the first bodyand the first surface of the connecting body in the second mode iscovered by the second body, and a second non-covered part of the firstbody corresponds to the second region. A chat interface of a chatapplication is displayed in the second region.

In addition, in the case where a second display is also disposed in thesecond surface of the second body to form a touch display, as shown inFIG. 18B, a character array (e.g., a virtual keyboard) is displayed onthe touch display, each position of the character array indicates acorresponding input character when the user performs a touch input. Inthis case, if a click input operation on the virtual keyboard isreceived through the touch display, then the processor can determine acorresponding character, and the character is displayed in the firstdisplay. That is to say, in the second mode, the user can perform aninput operation like character editing.

In this case, if the first sensor senses that the electronic devicechanges from the second mode to the third mode and generates acorresponding trigger signal, then the display control unit switches thesecond interface to the third interface in response to the triggersignal, as shown in FIG. 18B. In FIG. 18B, the electronic device notonly changes from the second mode to the third mode, but also changesfrom the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. Thus, thedisplay interface that comprises the first sub-interface and the secondsub-interface is displayed in the third region, and the third region isdisplayed horizontally, wherein the first sub-interface and the secondsub-interface are displayed as horizontally arranged.

The electronic device according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure is described above with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. Theelectronic device comprises the first body and the second body connectedthrough the connecting body, a display is disposed on the first surfaceof the first body, and a different region of the display is perceived bythe viewer in a different mode of the electronic device, thereby a newproduct form comprising at least two modes is provided, which therebyenriches user selection, improves user experience.

Further, in the electronic device according to the third embodiment ofthe present disclosure, a corresponding interface can be displayedaccording to a mode which the electronic device is in, so that displaycontent of the electronic device adapts to its mode, which therebyfacilitates user viewing and using, increases operating efficiency, andfurther improves user experience.

Hereinafter, a display processing method according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 19. The display processing method according to the third embodimentof the present disclosure may be applied to an electronic device. Theelectronic device comprises: a first body 10 having a first surface anda second surface that are opposite; a connecting body 30 having a firstsurface and a second surface that are opposite; and a second body 20having a first surface and a second surface that are opposite, and beingconnected to the first body through the connecting body; wherein theelectronic device has a first outer surface and a second outer surface,the first outer surface comprises a first surface of the first body, afirst surface of the connecting body, and a first surface of the secondbody, the second outer surface comprises a second surface of the firstbody, a second surface of the connecting body, and a second surface ofthe second body; a first display is disposed at least in a part ofregion of the first outer surface of the electronic device, theelectronic device has at least two modes, a second mode and a thirdmode, respectively. In the second mode, a second region of the firstdisplay can be perceived by a viewer. In the third mode, a third regionof the first display can be perceived by a viewer. The third region islarger than the second region.

As shown in FIG. 19, first, in step S1910, a parameter indicating a modeof the electronic device is sensed.

Next, in step S1920, it is determined whether the electronic device isin the second mode or the third mode based on the parameter.

When it is determined that the electronic device is in the third mode,it proceeds to step S1930, a third interface is displayed in the thirdregion, the third interface has a first sub-interface and a secondsub-interface.

In an embodiment, the display processing method further comprises: whenit is determined that the electronic device is in the second mode, asecond interface is displayed in the second region, the second interfacehas only a third sub-interface; a first trigger signal indicating thatthe electronic device changes from the second mode to the third mode isreceived; in response to the first trigger signal, a first displayswitching signal is generated; and in response to the first displayswitching signal, a second interface is displayed on the second region,the second interface comprises only the third sub-interface.

In another embodiment, the display processing method further comprises:when it is determined that the electronic device is in the third mode, athird interface is displayed; a second trigger signal indicating thatthe electronic device changes from the third mode to the second mode isreceived; in response to the second trigger signal, a second displayswitching signal is generated; and in response to the second displayswitching signal, a second interface is displayed on the second region,the second interface comprises only the third sub-interface.

In another embodiment, when it is determined that the electronic deviceis in the second mode, the second interface is displayed in the secondregion, the second interface comprises only the third sub-interface, thedisplay processing method further comprises: a spatial movementparameter of the electronic device is sensed; in the second mode, thedirection of the second interface is not changed in response to thespatial movement parameter; in the third mode, the direction of thesecond interface is changed in response to the spatial movementparameter.

In another embodiment, the electronic further has a first mode. In thefirst mode, a first region of the first display can be perceived by theviewer, and a surface composed by the first surface of the first bodyand the first surface of the connecting body is covered by the secondbody, and a second non-covered part of the first body corresponds to thefirst region. The display processing method further comprises: it isdetermined the electronic device is in the first mode, the second mode,or the third mode based on the aforesaid parameter; and when theelectronic device is in the first mode, the first interface iscontrolled to be displayed in the first region.

The display processing method according to the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure is described above with reference to FIG. 19. In thedisplay processing method according to the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a corresponding interface can be displayed accordingto a mode which the electronic device is in, so that display content ofthe electronic device adapts to its mode, which thereby facilitates userviewing and using, increases operating efficiency, and further improvesuser experience.

Hereinafter, the electronic device according to a fourth embodiment ofthe present disclosure of an information processing method thereof willbe described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram schematically illustrating structure of theelectronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 20, the electronic device according to thefourth embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a first body 10having a first surface and a second surface that are opposite; aconnecting body 30; and a second body 20 having a first surface and asecond surface that are opposite, and being connected to the first bodythrough the connecting body; a first display 40 disposed at least in thefirst surface of the first body; a first input unit 25 disposed at leastin the second surface of the second body; wherein the electronic devicehas a first outer surface and a second outer surface, the first outersurface comprises the first surface of the first body and the firstsurface of the second body, the second outer surface comprises thesecond surface of the first body and the second surface of the secondbody.

Optionally, the first body has a first end and a second end; theconnecting body has a third end and a fourth end, the third end isconnected to the second end; the second body has a fifth end and a sixthend, the fifth end is connected to the fourth end, the second body is atleast capable of rotating relative to the first body based on theconnecting body.

In addition, the electronic device may at least have a first mode, inwhich a first surface of the first body is covered by the connectingbody and the second body, and a second mode, in which a surface composedby the first surface of the first body and a first surface of theconnecting body is covered by the second body.

In addition, the electronic device may further have a third mode. In thethird mode, the first surface of the first body is not covered. An anglebetween the first body and the second body is larger than a threshold,which may be set at will by those skilled in the art as needed, thepresent disclosure makes no limitation thereto. As an example, thethreshold is larger than 120 degrees. As another example, the thresholdis larger than 150 degrees. That is to say, in the third mode, an obtuseangle is formed between the first body and the second body, it even isclose to 180 degrees, that is, the plane formed by the first body andthe second body is approximately flat.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, the electronic device according to thefourth embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises: a firstdisplay 40 disposed at least in the first surface of the first body,shown with solid line in FIG. 20. The first display is disposed at leastin the first surface of the first body. It should be noted that,although in FIG. 20, the first display is shown as disposed in a part ofregion of the first surface of the first body, in fact, it may bedisposed in the entire region of the first surface of the first body. Inaddition, in the first example, the first display may be disposed inonly the first surface of the first body. In the second example, asdescribed above, the connecting body also has a first body and a secondbody that are opposite to each other, and the first display may bedisposed at least in a part of the first surface of the first body andthe first surface of the connecting body. In other words, the firstdisplay may be disposed across two bodies: the first body and theconnecting body. In the third example, the first display may be disposedin the first surface of the first body, the first surface of theconnecting body, and the first surface of the second body. In otherwords, the first display may be disposed across three bodies: the firstbody, the connecting body, and the second body.

It should be noted that, in the case where the first display is disposedacross two bodies or three bodies, in the first example, the firstdisplay may comprise corresponding two or three display screens,respective display screens are arranged adjacent to each other closely.In the second example, the first display may comprise only a whole pieceof display screen.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, the electronic device according to thefourth embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises: a firstinput unit 25 disposed at least in the second surface of the secondbody, shown with dotted line in FIG. 20. It should be noted that,although in FIG. 20, the first input unit is shown as disposed in a partof region of the second surface of the second body, in fact, it may bedisposed in the entire region of second surface of the second body. Thefirst input unit may be for example a touch control unit, like a touchpanel. Specifically, in the first example, the first input unit may bedisposed in only second surface of the second body. In the secondexample, the first input unit may be disposed at least in a part of thesecond surface of the second body and the second surface of theconnecting body. In other words, the first input unit may be disposedacross two bodies: the first body and the connecting body. In the thirdexample, the first input unit may be disposed in the second surface ofthe first body, the second surface of the connecting body, and thesecond surface of the second body. In other words, the first input unitmay be disposed across three bodies: the first body, the connectingbody, and the second body.

Likewise, it should be noted that, in the case where the first inputunit is disposed across two bodies or three bodies, the first input unitmay comprise corresponding two or three touch panels, or the first inputunit may comprise only a whole piece of touch panel.

In addition, optionally, the electronic device may further comprise: asecond display disposed at least in the second surface of the secondbody. Similarly, the second display may be disposed only in the secondsurface of the second body, or disposed in the second surface of thefirst body and the second surface of the first connecting body, ordisposed in second body of the first body, the second surface of theconnecting body, and the second surface of the second body.

It should be noted that, no matter it is disposed in which way, thefirst input unit and the second display disposed on the second surfaceof the body may be set in a stacked manner. That is to say, in the casethat the first input unit is a touch control unit, it is possible to seta touch display on the second surface of the second body.

In addition, optionally, the electronic device may further comprise: asecond input unit disposed at least in the first surface of the firstbody. Similarly, the second input unit may be disposed only in the firstsurface of the first body, or disposed in the first surface of the firstbody and the first surface of the connecting body, or disposed in firstsurface of the first body, the first surface of the connecting body, andthe first surface of the second body.

Also, it should be noted that, no matter it is disposed in which way,the second input unit and the first display disposed on the firstsurface of the body may be set in a stacked manner. That is to say, inthe case that the second input unit is a touch control unit, it ispossible to set a touch display on the first surface of the first body.And it should be noted that, when the second input unit and the firstdisplay are set in a stacked manner, the first display will not affectacquisition and input of the second input unit, the second input unitwill not affect the first display being perceived by the viewer.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, asdescribed above, the electronic device may have at least a first modeand a second mode. In a first mode the first body and the second bodyhave a first relative positional relationship. In a second mode thefirst body and the second body have a second relative positionalrelationship. In the first mode, a first covered part of the firstdisplay and the first input unit face the same direction. In the secondmode, a second non-covered part of the first display and the first inputunit face the same direction. Area of a first non-covered part of thedisplay is different than area of a second non-covered part of thedisplay. For example, area of the first non-covered part is smaller thanarea of the second non-covered.

In addition, the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present disclosure may further comprise a processor. Accordingly, inthe first mode, the processor can respond to an input of the first inputunit through an instruction in a first instruction set. In the secondmode, the processor can respond to an input of the first input unitthrough an instruction in a second instruction set. The firstinstruction set and the second instruction set are at least partiallydifferent.

Specifically, the processor may comprise a display control unitconfigured to control a change of display content on the first displayin response to an input to first input unit.

More specifically, in the first mode, the display control unit maychange display content on the first display in response to a slide inputoperation on the first input unit. On the other hand, in the secondmode, the display control unit can determine a corresponding characterin response to a click input operation on the first input unit, anddisplay the character on the first display.

In addition, the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present disclosure may further comprise a first sensor. The firstsensor is configured to sense a parameter indicating a mode of theelectronic device and generate a corresponding trigger signal. Theprocessor responds to an input on the first input unit through aninstruction in a second instruction set in response to a first triggersignal indicating that the electronic device switches from the firstmode to the second mode; and responds to an input on the first inputunit through an instruction in a first instruction set in response to asecond trigger signal indicating that the electronic device switchesfrom the second mode to the first mode.

Specifically, in the first example, the first sensor may comprise aphotosensitive sensor, the photosensitive sensor comprises a lightdetecting array disposed corresponding to a light emitting array of thedisplay, and is configured to determine an exposed region of the displayaccording to a region that satisfies a predetermined luminance thresholdin the light detecting array, as a parameter indicating a mode of theelectronic device.

In a second example, the first sensor may comprise a bending detectingunit disposed in the connecting body and configured to determine abending state of the connecting body as a parameter indicating a mode ofthe electronic device.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are schematic diagrams illustrating operating mannersand display content of the electronic device according to the fourthembodiment of the present disclosure in different modes.

As shown in FIG. 21A, the electronic device is in a first mode. In thefirst mode, a first non-covered part of the first display and the firstinput unit face the same direction. And the first non-covered part hasrelatively small area. In this first mode, display content is displayedon the first display. In this case, an operation of a first mode (suchas a slide input operation) is received through the first input unit,then the display control unit correspondingly changes the displaying ofthe first display through an instruction in the first instruction set inresponse to the slide input operation. For example, when the displaycontent is a first notifying message, the display control unit canswitch the first notifying message to a second notifying message inresponse to the slide input operation.

In addition, optionally, in the first mode shown in FIG. 21A, if anoperation of a second mode (such as a click input operation) differentthan the first mode is received through the first input unit, then theprocessor may make no processing.

As shown in FIG. 21B, the electronic device is in the second mode. Inthe second mode, a second non-covered part of the first display and thefirst input unit face the same direction. And the second non-coveredpart has relatively large area. In this second mode, display contentdisplayed on the first display is more than that displayed on the firstdisplay in the first mode as shown in FIG. 21A, information amount islarger. In this case, if an operation of a second mode (such as a clickinput operation) is received through the first input unit, then theprocessor correspondingly changes the displaying of the second displaythrough an instruction in the second instruction set in response to theclick input operation.

In addition, in the case where a second display is also disposed in thesecond surface of the second body to form a touch display, a characterarray may be displayed on the touch display, each position of thecharacter array indicates a corresponding input character when the userperforms a touch input. Specifically, in FIG. 21B, illustration is madewith the character array being a virtual keyboard as an example. In thiscase, if a click input operation on the virtual keyboard is receivedthrough the touch display, then the processor can determine acorresponding character, and the character is displayed in the firstdisplay. That is to say, in the second mode, the user can perform aninput operation like character editing.

In addition, optionally, in the second mode shown in FIG. 21B, if anoperation of a first mode (such as a slide input operation) differentthan the second mode is received through the first input unit, since thesecond instruction set may probably comprise no instructioncorresponding to the operation of the first mode, then the processor maymake no processing.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, although descriptionis provided above with operations of two different modes, slide inputoperation and click input operation, as examples, the present disclosureis not limited thereto. Instead, in the electronic device according tothe fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, the first input unitcan receive different modes of input operations in different modes, andthe processor can respond through instructions in different instructionsets. In addition, in the case where the first input unit and theoptional second display form a touch display in a stacked way, in thefirst mode, the second display may be disabled, so that the touchdisplay serves as only a touch panel, thus saving power of theelectronic device. In the second mode, the second display can displaycontent corresponding to an operation manner of the second mode, such asa virtual keyboard etc., so that it assists in user input. That is tosay, the touch display supports a different function in a differentmode.

Specifically, in the first example, as described above, the first sensorsenses a parameter indicating a mode of the electronic device. As longas the first sensor senses that the mode of the electronic devicechanges, the processor accordingly changes a responding mode to an inputof the first input unit. For example, as long as the first sensor sensesthat the electronic device switches to the second mode, the processoraccordingly changes a responding mode to an input of the first inputunit, for example, it responds through an instruction in the secondinstruction set. Further, if the second display is disabled in theformer mode, the processor may trigger to enable the second display.

In the second example, as described above, the electronic device mayhave the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode. When the firstsensor senses that the mode of the electronic device changes, theprocessor determines whether the mode before change is a specified mode.Only when the electronic device changes from a specified mode to anothermode, the processor accordingly changes a responding mode to an input ofthe first input unit. For example, only when the electronic deviceswitches from the first mode to the second mode, the processoraccordingly changes a responding mode to an input of the first inputunit, for example, it responds through an instruction in the secondinstruction set. Further, if the second display is disabled in theformer mode, the processor may trigger to enable the second display.

In the third example, when the first sensor senses that the mode of theelectronic device changes, the processor further determines whether aspecific application is running on the electronic device in the modebefore change occurs. Only when a specific application is running on theelectronic device in the mode before change occurs, the processoraccordingly changes a responding mode to an input of the first inputunit. For example, only when the electronic device switches from acertain mode to the second mode and an application that supportscharacter input is running in the mode before change occurs, theprocessor accordingly changes a responding mode to an input of the firstinput unit, for example, it responds through an instruction in thesecond instruction set. Further, if the second display is disabled inthe former mode, the processor may trigger to enable the second display.

Accordingly, the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present disclosure comprises the first body and the second bodyconnected through the connecting body, a display is disposed on thefirst surface of the first body, and an input unit is disposed in thesecond surface of the second body, thereby a new product form comprisinga display and input unit is provided, which thereby enriches userselection, improves user experience.

Further, in the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present disclosure, when an input signal is received, response canbe made through instructions in different instruction sets according toa current mode of the electronic device, so that the operating mode ofthe electronic device having multiple modes adapts to its mode, so thatthe user can control the electronic device with a simple operation thatmeet the user's cognition habits, which thereby increases operatingefficiency, and further improves user experience.

Hereinafter, an information processing method according to the fourthembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 20.

The display processing method according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent disclosure may be applied to an electronic device. Theelectronic device comprises: a first body having a first surface and asecond surface that are opposite; a connecting body; and a second bodyhaving a first surface and a second surface that are opposite, and beingconnected to the first body through the connecting body; a first displaydisposed at least in the first surface of the first body; a first inputunit disposed at least in the second surface of the second body; whereinthe electronic device has a first outer surface and a second outersurface, the first outer surface comprises the first surface of thefirst body and the first surface of the second body, the second outersurface comprises the second surface of the first body and the secondsurface of the second body.

In addition, the electronic device may at least have a first mode and asecond mode. In the first mode, the first body and the second body havea first relative positional relationship. In the second mode, the firstbody and the second body have a second relative positional relationship.

As shown in FIG. 22, first, in step S2210, an input signal is received.Next, in step S2220, it is determined whether the electronic device isin the first mode or the second mode based on the parameter. When theelectronic device is in the first mode, it proceeds to step S2230, aresponse is made to the input signal through an instruction in a firstinstruction set; when the electronic device is in the second mode, itproceeds to step S2240, a response is made to the input signal throughan instruction in a second instruction set. The first instruction setand the second instruction set are at least partially different.

In one embodiment, specifically, in the first mode, in response to aninput signal indicating a slide input operation, display content on thefirst display is changed. In the second mode, in response to an inputsignal indicating a click input operation, a corresponding character isdetermined, and the character is displayed on the first display.

In another embodiment, when it is determined that the electronic deviceis in the first mode, a parameter indicating a mode of the electronicdevice is detected to generate a corresponding trigger signal. Responseto the input signal is made through an instruction in a secondinstruction set in response to a first trigger signal indicating thatthe electronic device switches from the first mode to the second mode.

In another embodiment, when it is determined that the electronic deviceis in the second mode, a parameter indicating a mode of the electronicdevice is detected to generate a corresponding trigger signal. Responseto the input signal is made with an instruction in a first instructionset in response to a second trigger signal indicating that theelectronic device switches from the second mode to the first mode.

Specific operations of respective steps of the information processingmethod have already been described in the detail description for theelectronic device with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, repetition isneedless.

Further, in the information processing method according to the fourthembodiment of the present disclosure, when an input signal is received,a response can be made with instructions in different instruction setsaccording to a current mode of the electronic device, so that theoperating mode of the electronic device having multiple modes adapts toits mode, so that the user can control the electronic device with asimple operation that meet the user's cognition habits, which therebyincreases operating efficiency, and further improves user experience.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the first mode of electronic deviceaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 23, in the first mode, the first surface 100 of the first body 10is covered by the connecting body and the second body 20.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the second mode of electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 24, in the second mode, a surface composed by the first surface 100of the first body 10 and the first surface 300 of the connecting body 30is covered by the second body 20.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the third mode of electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 25, when the electronic device 1 is in the third mode, the firstsurface 100 of the first body 10 and the first surface 300 of theconnecting body 30, and the first surface 200 of the second body 20approximately form a single plane.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the fourth mode of electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 26, in the fourth mode, the first surface 100 of the first body 10and the first surface 200 of the second body 20 are opposite.Specifically, the fourth mode may be that the second surface 201 of thesecond body 20 and the second surface 101 of the first body 10 contact,and may be also that a distance between the second surface 201 of thesecond body 20 and the second surface 101 of the first body 10 is lessthan a predetermined threshold.

Hereinafter, respective input units of the electronic device accordingto the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 27 is aperspective view of sub-input units of respective bodies of theelectronic device according to the fifth embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 27, the connecting body 30 comprises aconnecting sub-input unit 230 configured to acquire a user inputoperation. For example, the second body 20 and the first body 10 mayalso have a first sub-input unit 210 and a second sub-input unit 220,respectively. In this way, the processor (not shown) of the electronicdevice 1 may perform a corresponding processing according to an inputoperation acquired by the respective sub-input units. For example, thesesub-input units are a touch sensor, but they may be also a physical keyor any other form of input units, as long as they can acquire the user'sinput operation. Typically, the first sub-input unit 210, the secondsub-input unit 220, and the connecting sub-input unit 230 may bedisposed on the same outer surface of the electronic device 1. FIG. 27shows an example that the respective sub-input units are disposed on thefirst outer surface of the electronic device, that is, the firstsub-input unit 210 is disposed on the first surface 100 of the firstbody 10, the second sub-input unit 220 is disposed on the first surface200 of the second body 20, and the connecting sub-input unit 230 isdisposed on the first surface 300 of the connecting body 30. However,the present disclosure is not limited to the case described above, atleast one sub-input unit may be also disposed on the second surfaces ofcorresponding bodies, for example, the connecting sub-input unit 230 isdisposed on the second surface of the connecting body 30. In addition,at least one sub-input unit may be also disposed on the first and secondsurfaces of corresponding bodies, for example, the second sub-input unit220 is disposed on the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 ofthe second body.

Next, the embodiments of the electronic device will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 28 is aperspective view of a second input unit of the electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 28, the electronic device 1 may also have a second input unit 200on the first outer surface, for acquiring an input operation on thewhole first outer surface. In this case, the first sub-input unit 210,the connecting sub-input unit 230, and the second input unit 220 composethe first region, the second region, and the third region on the secondinput unit, respectively. By the above-described structure, it ispossible to acquire an input from a user integrally on the first outersurface, so that the user can input instructions in a larger space,achieve stronger functions.

In addition to the function of acquiring user input, the electronicdevice 1 according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may alsosimultaneously have a display function. FIG. 29 is a perspective view ofsub-displays of respective bodies of the electronic device according tothe fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 29, thefirst surface 100 of the first body 10 may comprise the firstsub-display 310, the first surface 300 of the connecting body 30 maycomprise the connecting sub-display 330, the first surface 201 of thesecond body 20 may comprise the second sub-display 320. In this way,respective sub-displays can display contents associated with processingsexecuted by the processor of the electronic device 1. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited to the case described above, at leastone sub-display may be also disposed on the second surfaces ofcorresponding bodies, for example, the second sub-display 320 isdisposed on the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 of thesecond body. In addition, at least one sub-input unit may be alsodisposed on the first and second surfaces of corresponding bodies, forexample, the second sub-display 320 is disposed on the first surface 201and the second surface 202 of the second body, respectively. On theother hand, the electronic device 1 according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present disclosure may also comprise one or two among the firstsub-display, the connecting sub-display, and the second sub-display. Forexample, the electronic device 1 according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present disclosure may have no second sub-display disposed on thefirst surface of the second body.

In an embodiment, the first sub-display 310, the second sub-display 320,and the connecting sub-display 330 may be made overlap with at least apart of the first sub-input unit 210, the second sub-input unit 220, andthe connecting input unit 230, respectively, to achieve a touch screenfunction of the first body 10, the second body 20 and the connectingbody 30.

For example, it is possible to set a deformable display on the firstouter surface of the electronic device. FIG. 30 is a perspective view ofa first display of the electronic device according to the fifthembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown FIG. 30, the firstsub-display 310, the connecting sub-display 330, and the secondsub-display 320 form the first region, the second region, and the thirdregion of the first display 300, respectively. It should be noted that,the present disclosure is not limited thereto, the first display 300 maycover only one or two among the respective sub-displays, for example,the first sub-display 310 and the connecting sub-display 330 serve asthe first region and the second region of the first display 300, and thesecond sub-display 320 is independent of the first display 300. In thiscase, the first display 300 may have a deformation along with theconnecting body 30, thereby it can adapt to various modes of theelectronic device 1. By means of disposing the first display on thefirst outer surface, associated content can be displayed in a large areain the first outer surface of the electronic device 1, such as playing avideo etc. In addition, the first display 300 may overlap with at leasta part of the second input unit 200, this can achieve the touch screenfunction entirely on the first outer surface of the electronic device 1.

The electronic device 1 may store in a storage unit (not shown) variousinstruction sets, and instructions in each instruction set indicate amapping relationship between a user input and a corresponding processingexecuted by the processor (not shown). In an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the processor can respond to an input operation acquiredrespectively by the first sub-input unit 210, the second sub-input unit220, and the connecting sub-input unit 230 (or acquired by the secondinput unit 220 entirely), according to a different mode of theelectronic device 1 and depending on instructions in a differentinstruction set. Illustration will be provided below with the third modeand the fourth mode as example.

Hereinafter, actions of the processor of the electronic device 1 will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, thesesteps will constitute a control method for the electronic device in thepresent disclosure. It should be noted that, illustration will beprovided below with the third mode and the fourth mode of the electronicdevice 1 as example, but in fact, it is not limited thereto, the presentdisclosure may be applied to other modes of the electronic device 1.FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a control method of the electronic deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 31:

First, a mode which the electronic device 1 is currently in isdetermined (step S3110). As described above, since the connecting body30 is deformable, so the second body 20 is at least capable of rotatingrelative to the first body based on the connecting body, thus theelectronic device 1 can switch between different modes. Accordingly, itis possible to set a sensor on the connecting body 30 of the electronicdevice 1, and a mode which the electronic device 1 is currently in maybe determined according to a deformation state of the connecting body30.

When the electronic device is in the third mode, an input acquired bythe connecting sub-input unit is responded according to an instructionin a third instruction set (step S3120). In this case, the electronicdevice 1 presents the user with an entire first outer surface, thus thethird instruction set can make the connecting sub-input unit, the firstsub-input unit, and the second sub-input unit as an input in common (ormaking the second input unit as an input) to perform correspondingprocessing. In this way, an input from the user can be acquired on theentire first outer surface, thus achieving various functions thatrequire a wide range.

When the electronic device is in the fourth mode, an input acquired bythe connecting sub-input unit is responded according to an instructionin the fourth instruction set (step S3130). The fourth instruction setmay be instructions that make the connecting sub-input unit 230 toacquire independently from the first sub-input unit 210 and the secondsub-input unit 220. As an example, display of the first sub-display 310and/or the second sub-display 329 may be controlled in response to aninput acquired by the connecting sub-input unit 230. For example, duringa video playback function of the electronic device 1, it is possible toslide the connecting sub-input unit 230 to adjust the volume; during animage display function, it is possible to slide the connecting sub-inputunit 230 to zoom in or zoom out a picture; during an electronic bookreading function, it is possible to slide the connecting sub-input unit230 to control page turning, etc. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of aconnecting sub-input unit of the electronic device according to thefifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 32, whenthe electronic device 1 is in the fourth mode, the connecting part isbent so that a first surface facing the user will form a thin stripregion along the direction of rotary shaft. In this case, the connectinginput unit 230 for example comprises a touch sensor, and the processorof the electronic device determines an input of the touch sensor, when adetermination result indicates that the input is a slide input along thedirection of the rotary shaft, various processes described above are tobe executed. In this way, it is possible to identify a slide input alongthe direction of the rotary shaft, thus avoiding an error operation.

Through the above processes, in the electronic device that comprises afirst body, a connecting body, and a second body capable of rotatingrelative to the first body based on the connecting body, and can switchbetween various modes, an input operation is acquired through aconnecting sub-input unit disposed in the connecting body, theelectronic device can use space efficiently in various modes andflexibly control the electronic devices.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are described above. Withreference to the accompanying drawings, the electronic device and themode switching method according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure can implement at least two different operating modes, so asto provide different display regions in different operating modes, andbased on the operating modes, execute display of the correspondingcontent in the different display regions.

It should be noted that, in the specification, the terms “comprise”,“comprise” and any other variations thereof intend to cover nonexclusiveinclusion so that the procedure, the method, the product or theequipment comprising a series of elements comprise not only theseelements, but also other elements which are not listed explicitly, oralso comprise inherent elements of these procedure, method, product orequipment. In the case that there is no further limitation, elementsdefined by the expressions “comprises one . . . ” do not exclude therebeing additional identity elements in the procedure, method, product orequipment of the elements.

Finally, it should be noted that, the above-described series ofprocesses do not only comprise processes executed chronologically in theorder mentioned here, and also comprise processes executed in parallelor individually but not chronologically.

Through the above description of the implementations, a person skilledin the art can clearly understand that the present disclosure may beimplemented in a manner of software plus a necessary hardware platform,and of course the present disclosure may also be implemented fully byhardware. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of thepresent disclosure that contributes to the background art may beembodied in whole or in part in the form of a software product. Thecomputer software product may be stored in a storage medium, such asROM/RAM, disk, CD-ROM, and comprise several instructions for causing acomputer apparatus (which may be a personal computer, a server, or anetwork device) to perform the method described in the variousembodiments of the present disclosure or certain parts thereof.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail in theabove, specific examples are applied in this text to demonstrate theprinciples and implementations of the present disclosure, thesedescriptions of the above embodiments are only to help understand themethod of the present disclosure and its core concept. Meanwhile, for aperson with ordinary skill in the art, depending on the concepts of thepresent disclosure, modifications may be made to the specificimplementations and applications. To sum up, contents of thisspecification should not be construed as limiting the presentdisclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a firstbody having a first end and a second end; a connecting body having athird end and a fourth end, the third end being connected to the secondend; a second body having a fifth end and a sixth end, the fifth endbeing connected to the fourth end, the second body being at leastcapable of rotating relative to the first body based on the connectingbody; wherein the electronic device has at least a first mode, in whicha first surface of the first body is covered by the connecting body andthe second body, and a first sub-region of the first surface of thefirst body that is covered by the connecting body and a secondsub-region of the first surface of the first body that is covered by thesecond body do not overlap each other, and a second mode, in which asurface composed by the first surface of the first body and a firstsurface of the connecting body is covered by the second body, and athird sub-region of the first surface of the first body that is coveredby the second body and a fourth sub-region of the first surface of theconnecting body that is covered, by the second body do not overlap eachother, wherein the connecting body comprises at least three rotarymembers; or the connecting body comprises two rotary member groups andat least one non-rotary member between the two rotary member groups,each rotary member group comprises at least two rotary members, whereinin the first mode and the second mode, a maximum distance betweencorresponding points of the first body and the second body is less thana first predetermined threshold, and wherein the first body and thesecond body, on the whole, slide relatively in parallel to execute modeswitching between the first mode and the second mode, and when switchingbetween the first mode and the second mode, a distance between the sixthend and the first surface of the first body is maintained as smallerthan the first predetermined threshold.
 2. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein when switching between the first mode and the secondmode, a distance between the first surface of the first body and a firstsurface of the second body is smaller than the first predeterminedthreshold.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein an arbitrarymode during a switching between the first mode and the second mode is amode maintaining stable without an external force.
 4. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein in the first mode, when an external forcethat has a component in a direction from the sixth end to the fifth endis acted on the second body, and a magnitude of the component of theexternal force satisfies a first preset condition, the electronic deviceswitches from the first mode to the second mode, and in the second mode,when an external force that has a component in a direction from thefifth end to the sixth end is acted on the second body, and a magnitudeof the component of the external force satisfies a first presetcondition, the electronic device switches from the second mode to thefirst mode.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronicdevice further has a third mode, in which the first surface of the firstbody, the first surface of the connecting body and the first surface ofthe second body compose a first outer surface, and the first outersurface is flat or approximately flat in the third mode.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least three rotarymembers has a self-rotary shaft, respective self-rotary shafts of the atleast three rotary members are parallel to each other, and when anexternal force acted on one rotary member is vertical to the self-rotaryshaft thereof and a magnitude of a component in a direction tangentialto an outer surface of the one rotary member satisfies a second presetcondition, the one rotary member is capable of rotating around theself-rotary shaft thereof.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6, whereinwhen the one rotary member rotates, the other rotary members rotateaccordingly; or when the one rotary member rotates, at least one of theother rotary members does not rotate.
 8. The electronic device of claim1, further comprising a display disposed at least on the first surfaceof the first body, wherein an area of a first non-covered part of thedisplay in the first mode is different than an area of a secondnon-covered part of the display in the second mode.
 9. The electronicdevice of claim 8, wherein the display is a deformable display, thedisplay is disposed at least in a region formed by the first surface ofthe first body and the first surface of the second body; or the displayis disposed in a region formed by the first surface of the first body,the first surface of the connecting body, and the first surface of thesecond body; and in the first mode and the second mode, one part of thedisplay covers another part of the display.
 10. The electronic device ofclaim 8, further comprising: a sensor disposed in the first body and/orthe connecting body and/or the second body, and configured to detect amode of the electronic device; and a processor disposed in the firstbody and/or the connecting body and/or the second body, and configuredto control a mode switching of the electronic device according to a modedetected by the sensor.
 11. The electronic device of claim 8, whereinthe sensor comprises a photosensitive sensor, the photosensitive sensorcomprises a light detecting array disposed corresponding to a lightemitting array of the display, and is configured to determine an exposedregion of the display according to a region that satisfies apredetermined luminance threshold in the light detecting array todetermine a mode of the electronic device.
 12. The electronic device ofclaim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a bending detecting sensordisposed in the connecting body and configured to determine a mode ofthe electronic device according to a state of the connecting body. 13.The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor comprises adisplay control processor, which switches display content on the displayaccording to a mode switching of the electronic device.
 14. A modeswitching method applied to an electronic device, the mode switchingmethod comprising: detecting a mode of the electronic device; andcontrolling a mode switching of the electronic device according to adetected mode; wherein the electronic device comprises: a first bodyhaving a first end and a second end; a connecting body having a thirdend and a fourth end, the third end being connected to the second end; asecond body having a fifth end and a sixth end, the fifth end beingconnected to the fourth end, the second body being at least capable ofrotating relative to the first body based on the connecting body; theelectronic device has at least a first mode, in which a first surface ofthe first body is covered by the connecting body and the second body,and a first sub-region of the first surface of the first body that iscovered by the connecting body and a second sub-region of the firstsurface of the first body that is covered by the second body do notoverlap each other, and a second mode, in which a surface composed bythe first surface of the first body and a first surface of theconnecting body is covered by the second body, and a third sub-region ofthe first surface of the first body that is covered by the second bodyand a fourth sub-region of the first surface of the connecting body thatis covered by the second body do not overlap each other, wherein, theconnecting body comprises at least three rotary members; or theconnecting body comprises two rotary member groups and at least onenon-rotary member between the two rotary member groups, each rotarymember group comprises at least two rotary members, wherein in the firstmode and the second mode, a maximum distance between correspondingpoints of the first body and the second body is less than a firstpredetermined threshold, and wherein the first body and the second body,on the whole, slide relatively in parallel to execute mode switchingbetween the first mode and the second mode, and when switching betweenthe first mode and the second mode, a distance between the sixth end andthe first surface of the first body is maintained as smaller than thefirst predetermined threshold.
 15. The mode switching method as claimedin claim 14, further comprising switching display content on a displayof the electronic device according to a mode switching of the electronicdevice.